If you brushed your teeth with half the energy that you brush 15 minutes before a dentist appointment, you would not have a cavity at all.
When the bacteria in your mouth start attacking your teeth, it leads to a formation of cavity. This is the onset of tooth decay. The bacteria keep attacking further and gradually you stand to lose the entire infected tooth!
So what causes the bacteria to attack the teeth? Improper brushing habits, not rinsing your mouth after eating something, forgetting to floss, eating too many sweets and drinking too many colas and sugary drinks are the most common reasons.
Bacteria in your mouth act with the help of the food you eat to cause the tooth decay. They are constantly creating a layer of plaque over your teeth. The bacteria feed on the food you eat, especially sugars, and are creating acids. This acid is the one responsible for the tooth erosion.
Saliva helps in washing out the plaque forming on your teeth. Low salivary flow or a dry mouth can speed up the decay process and will make your breath smell bad too!
Tooth decay does not create symptoms for a long period of time. It is only when the decay has reached deep levels that sensitivity to hot and/or cold items. If the decayed tooth is infected you will experience severe toothache and fever.
A cheesy fact – cheese is known to prevent tooth decay, especially old cheddar cheese!
How are cavities treated?
The treatment of cavities focuses on prevention, remineralization and restoration.
Prevention: Limiting the amount of sugar and starch in our diets is the most effective and easiest way of preventing tooth decay. It is recommended to replace sugars with artificial sweeteners that cannot be digested by the bacteria in teeth. Regular brushing of teeth and use of a mouth wash helps clean the plaque and kill the bacteria in the mouth. Flossing regularly helps to get rid of the food stuck in the places between teeth.
Remineralization: This is the process where the weak, eroded teeth are strengthened and hardened. This involves the use of calcium and fluoride. Your dentist may recommend suitable toothpaste as per your needs. It is recommended to avoid the gel and colored toothpastes as they contain no calcium in them.
Restoration: When the cavity has spread beyond remineralization, it may require filling. If the cavity is small, a filling made of composite or silver amalgam can be used to restore it. If a large part of the tooth is decayed, it will need to be covered with a crown. Crowns that are used are typically made of gold, porcelain, or zirconium. A root canal is the option if the cavity has extended to the center of the tooth and infected the nerve. Sometimes, the cavity infects a majority of the tooth surface and in such cases, the entire tooth has to be extracted. Dental implants are used to replace the extracted tooth.
