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Tooth decay may seem like a minor issue and is commonly overlooked. If left untreated, it can become a big tooth problem. Let’s get to know more about tooth decay or dental caries. Causes of tooth decay as well as its treatment methods.
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Causes of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay do not occur by accident. Its main cause is from naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth eating sugar that produce acid which weakens and destroys tooth enamel.
- Sugary Food and Drinks : The more sugars consumed, the more you are at risk, especially with sweets and soda where teeth is not properly brushed and cleaned.
- Oral Hygiene : If teeth is not brushed properly, plaque remains on teeth with calculus build up.
- Dry Mouth : Saliva helps to food and plaque that causes caries. Individuals with dry mouth or insufficient saliva has a tendency to be more at risks of cavities.
Imagine our tooth as a castle being constantly attacked by acid from bacteria. If we don’t protect it properly, our castle will collapse!
Managing Tooth Caries
You should visit your dentist if you notice sudden tooth pain when biting or pain when consuming cold/hot/sweet foods and drinks; There are white, brown or dark spots on teeth; Tooth has a bad smell or an unpleasant taste; Or when there is swelling around tooth.
Tooth decay does not occur overnight. Teeth caries develop in stages. The good news if detected at the early stages, it can be stopped or reversed.
1. Initial stage
Tooth enamel begins to weaken. You may see white spots on your teeth. At this stage, tooth enamel can still repair itself using minerals from saliva, fluoride and postbiotic toothpastes.
2. Middle stage
When tooth enamel is destroyed, small holes start to appear and white spots turns brown. For this stage, you will need to visit your dentist to remove the dental caries and replace the damaged tooth portion with dental fillings.
3. Severe stage
The tooth decay hole expands and dentin that is under the tooth’s enamel gets damaged, reaching to tooth pulp. During this stage, you may experience tooth pain or tooth sensitivity while consuming hot, cold or sugar-based drinks and foods. If dentin decay is identified early enough, a dental filling may be suffice to resolve the tooth problem. If however there is substantial damage, your dentist will remove the decayed portion and place an inlay/onlay or crown depending on the size of the caries.
4. Final stage
If the decay has reached the pulp cavity, there is likely pain. If the tooth can still be saved, your dentist may recommend root canal treatment. Or if otherwise, tooth extraction may be advised.
Looking at the above stages from the beginning till its final stage, tooth caries can be prevented from spreading. So visit your dentist bi-annually for dental checkup to ensure good oral health.
Fluoride Coating
For early stage tooth decay, tooth can still remineralization – a process where your body deposits calcium and phosphate minerals from saliva into enamel to replace minerals. Having fluoride treatment helps strengthen your tooth enamel.
Dental Fillings
Your dentist will removes the decayed portion of tooth at enamel or dentin area and fill it with a composite resin material.
Dental Crowns
If the tooth is more severely damaged, a crown may be required to protect and prevent tooth fracture.
Root Canal Treatment
If the dental caries has reaches the tooth pulp, root canal treatment will be recommended to remove bacteria within the tooth root area.
Tooth Extraction
Tooth removal is the last choice of option and is done when the tooth has poor prognoses and can no longer be treated.
Comparison between Dental Caries Treatments Options
Let’s look at the benefits and limitations of each treatment options to fix tooth caries for fluoride treatment, dental fillings, dental crowns, root canal treatment and tooth extraction. The recommended treatment solution to tooth decay will depend on the stage with which tooth is damaged.
Benefits and Limitations of of Fluoride Treatment
Benefits of Fluoride treatment
- Low cost
- Natural and non-invasive
Limitations of fluoride treatment
- Used only at early stage of tooth decay
- Lower the risks of tooth decay but does not totally prevent or remove caries
Benefits and Limitations of Dental Fillings
Benefits of dental fillings
- Simple and fast treatment for tooth caries completed in one visit
Limitations of dental fillings
- Suitable only for small tooth decays
Benefits and Limitations of Dental Crowns
Benefits of dental crowns
- Treats larger tooth caries and removes damaged tooth structure
- Treatment is completed within a few days to a week
- Strengthens and protects overall whole tooth
Limitations of dental crowns
- Higher costs compared to dental fillings
Benefits and Limitations of Root Canal Treatment
Benefits of root canal treatment
- Relieves tooth pain
- Preserves natural tooth
Limitations of root canal treatment
- May require several visits for removal of bacteria or possible re-treatment overtime
- Dental crowns recommended post treatment to prevent tooth from long-term fracture
Benefits and Limitations of Tooth Extraction
Benefits of tooth extraction
- Pain and infection is removed
Limitations of tooth Extraction
- Requires tooth replacement after infected area is clear with dental implants, bridge or dentures
The best way is to prevent tooth decay in the first place. So, brush your teeth regularly, reduce sugary foods and visit your dentist regularly!
If you think you have dental caries or would like to prevent tooth decay, contact Dental Planet clinic today to check and fix tooth problems!
Affordable Treatment Fees Treat Tooth Caries
1. Fluoride treatment
from 500 .-
2. Dental fillings
from 800 .-
3. Dental crown
from 9,000 .-
4. Root canal treatment
from 9,000 .-
5. Tooth extraction
from 900 .-
Conclusion
Tooth decay may seem trivial, but its consequences can be considerable without treatment. Dental caries can lead to tooth pain, higher treatment costs, and effects on your daily life. Therefore, prevent tooth decays by starting simply – brush and floss your teeth daily; reduce the in-take of sugary foods and drinks; and visit your dentist at least twice a year.
Resolve and take care of your oral health. Did you know that the best way is to prevent tooth decay from occurring in the first place. Strong teeth and a beautiful smile brings your confidence!
References
- “Causes of tooth decay” | https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tooth-decay
- “Stages of tooth decay” | https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/what-to-know-tooth-decay-stages
