Tooth decay -
This is why good oral hygiene is a vital part of preventing tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs in several stages. Dental plaque is important to the tooth decay process.
Plaque is a colorless, sticky film that covers the surfaces of your teeth. It can also harden over time, forming something called tartar. The presence of tartar can help to further protect bacteria, making them more difficult to remove. Generally speaking, there are five stages of tooth decay.
The outer layer of your teeth is composed of a type of tissue called enamel. Enamel is the hardest tissue in your body and is mostly made up of minerals. However, as a tooth is exposed to acids produced by plaque bacteria, the enamel begins to lose these minerals.
When this occurs, you may see a white spot appear on one of your teeth. This area of mineral loss is an initial sign of tooth decay. If the process of tooth decay is allowed to continue, enamel will break down further.
You may notice that a white spot on a tooth darkens to a brownish color. As enamel is weakened, small holes in your teeth called cavities , or dental caries, can form. Cavities will need to be filled by your dentist. Dentin is the tissue that lies under the enamel.
Because of this, tooth decay proceeds at a faster rate when it reaches the dentin. Dentin also contains tubes that lead to the nerves of the tooth. Because of this, when dentin is affected by tooth decay, you may begin experiencing sensitivity.
You may notice this particularly when having hot or cold foods or drinks. The pulp is the innermost layer of your tooth. It contains the nerves and blood vessels that help to keep the tooth healthy.
The nerves present in the pulp also provide sensation to the tooth. When damage to the pulp happens, it may become irritated and start to swell. This can lead to pain. As tooth decay advances into the pulp, bacteria can invade and cause an infection. Increased inflammation in the tooth can lead to a pocket of pus forming at the bottom of your tooth, called an abscess.
Tooth abscesses can cause severe pain that may radiate into the jaw. Other symptoms that may be present include swelling of the gums, face or jaw , fever , and swollen lymph nodes in your neck.
A tooth abscess requires prompt treatment, as the infection can spread into the bones of your jaw as well as other areas of your head and neck. In some cases, treatment may involve removing the affected tooth. Children can also experience tooth decay.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC , tooth decay is one of the most common chronic childhood conditions in the United States. Children also may be more likely to experience tooth decay than adults. Like it does in adults, tooth decay happens when bacteria break down sugars into acids, which damage tooth tissues.
Even though baby teeth are eventually lost , keeping them healthy is still vital. Not only do children need baby teeth for chewing and speaking, they also act as placeholders for adult teeth.
If baby teeth are lost too early due to decay, adult teeth may not come in properly. The images below illustrate the different stages of tooth decay. This earliest stage of tooth decay can actually be reversed before more permanent damage occurs.
This can be achieved by treating the teeth with fluoride. Fluoride works to strengthen enamel, making it more resistant to the acids produced by plaque bacteria.
Fluoride can also be found in some types of toothpastes and is often present in tap water. About 74 percent of Americans that get their tap water from a community water system receive fluorinated water. When tooth decay enters this stage, cavities are often present.
Fillings are used to treat cavities. When giving a filling, your dentist will first use a tool to clear away any areas of decay. This material is typically the same color as your tooth. Because dentin is softer than the enamel, decay moves at a faster rate when it reaches this stage.
If identified early, dentin decay may be treated with a filling. In more advanced cases, placement of a crown may be required. A crown is a covering that covers the top portion of your tooth above the gums also called the crown of the tooth. The decayed area is removed before the crown is placed.
Some healthy tooth tissue may be removed as well to ensure that the crown fits well to your tooth. In a root canal, the damaged pulp is removed. The tooth cavity is then cleaned and filled in. A crown is placed on the affected tooth. If an abscess has formed in your tooth, your dentist will likely perform a root canal to remove the infection and seal the tooth.
In severe cases, the affected tooth may need to be removed completely. Antibiotics may also be prescribed to help treat an abscess. These are medications that kill bacteria.
Practicing good oral hygiene is an important part of preventing tooth decay. A dentist can perform a root canal to help prevent the need for extraction when the pulp of the tooth is damaged. According to the American Association of Endodontists AAE , the dentist first numbs the tooth before removing the pulp.
They will then clean and shape the root canal inside of the tooth. The dentist will then fill the root canals with a rubber-like substance and place a crown or filling on the tooth to restore and strengthen it. A dentist may recommend a person has a tooth extraction if the tooth decay has caused severe damage.
The dentist will first numb the damaged tooth. Once they have removed the tooth, the dentist will recommend a post-extraction regime. A person may notice swelling or pain after a tooth extraction, which is normal.
However, if a person notices any of the following symptoms, they should call a dentist or seek medical attention immediately:.
According to the NIDCR , tooth decay, if caught in the early stages, is reversible. However, once the enamel of the tooth has lost too many minerals and the tooth has a cavity, it is unable to repair itself.
A person can reverse tooth decay by cutting down on sugary and starchy foods and practicing good oral hygiene. The dentist may ask the person questions regarding any pain or symptoms. The dentist may also take an X-ray of the mouth to spot any cavities.
The NIDCR note that without treatment, tooth decay can lead to a variety of problems, such as:. Abscesses can cause potentially life threatening infections, such as sepsis.
According to the National Health Service NHS , in the United Kingdom, abscesses can also cause:. The ADA recommend that people can prevent or stop tooth decay by:. Tooth decay is a widespread condition, with 9 out of 10 adults over the age of 20 having some level of tooth decay.
Tooth cavities can occur when there is a buildup of plaque on the teeth. People can prevent cavities by practicing good oral hygiene. Learn more about…. Cavity pain can range from mild to intense.
Cavities that cause pain are usually deep enough to have affected a nerve. Learn more about cavity pain…. Many home remedies can prevent cavities or stop them at a very early stage.
Find out more about causes, preventive strategies, and when to see a…. Medicare does not cover the costs of routine dental care, though it will cover dental treatment if it is a part of emergency care. Learn more here. A dental or tooth abscess is a buildup of pus that forms inside the teeth or gums.
An abscess is usually caused by a bacterial infection that is often…. My podcast changed me Can 'biological race' explain disparities in health? Why Parkinson's research is zooming in on the gut Tools General Health Drugs A-Z Health Hubs Health Tools Find a Doctor BMI Calculators and Charts Blood Pressure Chart: Ranges and Guide Breast Cancer: Self-Examination Guide Sleep Calculator Quizzes RA Myths vs Facts Type 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood Sugar Ankylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or Fiction Connect About Medical News Today Who We Are Our Editorial Process Content Integrity Conscious Language Newsletters Sign Up Follow Us.
Medical News Today. Health Conditions Health Products Discover Tools Connect. What is tooth decay? Medically reviewed by Jennifer Archibald, DDS — By Anna Smith Haghighi — Updated on June 27, What is it?
Symptoms Causes Treatment Can it be reversed? Diagnosis Complications Prevention Seeing a dentist Summary Tooth decay causes the destruction of enamel, which is the hard outer surface of a tooth.
Share on Pinterest A person with tooth decay may experience sensitivity to sugary, hot, or cold food and drinks. Is it reversible? When to see a dentist. How we reviewed this article: Sources. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations.
We avoid using tertiary references.
Tooth decay Tooh the Vecay of decaay, which is the hard outer decayy of a tooth. Liver Health Benefits Explained Improve cholesterol profile decay progresses, it can attack deeper layers of a tooth, leading to cavities. Treatments can include fluoride, fillings, crowns, and more. If a person does not receive treatment for tooth decay, it can lead to more issues with the teeth and mouth. However, some treatments can help prevent or stop the spread of tooth decay. Official websites dceay. gov A. gov Liver Health Benefits Explained belongs to an official government organization in the United States. gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Tooth decay is damage to a tooth's surface, or enamel.
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