What is Tooth Decay

What is Tooth Decay?

The health industries strongly suggest that you brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once a day. These simple oral hygiene habits are all you need to exercise to combat tooth decay. Tooth decay is the breakdown of a tooth as a result of acids produced from bacteria. Let’s identify the source first, how the bacteria accelerate with neglect, the stages of tooth decay and what must be done to stop it.

Each of us has millions of bacteria in our mouths every hour of every day. The bacteria are essential in our natural process of breaking down our food to deliver the nutrients our bodies need. But there is a point where there are too many bacteria. This bacteria clings to a tooth and soon creates a clear sticky substance called plaque. The plaque in turn produces the damaging acids that attack the enamel of the tooth.

Tooth decay is also called dental caries or cavities. Once the acid begins breaking down the enamel the cavity will persist and continue to get worse. The cavity, if left unattended, will create discomfort, pain, swelling of the tissue around the tooth. Once the cavity reaches the center of the tooth, the live tissue called the pulp, it will become increasingly painful and even create an abscess around the root of the tooth. This will inevitably end up with losing the tooth. Research has stated that 48% of the world’s population have dental caries in their permanent teeth. All avoidable if the simple preventative measures are taken.

There are six stages of tooth decay. The first stage is when the enamel becomes a chalky white. At this point the breakdown can be reversed with remineralization. When the tooth decay hits the second stage the remineralization cannot keep up and the enamel breaks down. The third stage is when the decay reaches the second layer of the tooth, called the dentin. The cavity is forming and the level of pain increases. When the cavity reaches the center of the tooth it has entered the fourth stage of tooth decay. The living tissue of the pulp will deliver a constant toothache. The fifth stage is when the infection travels down the root and creates an abscess. Now pain has reached a much higher threshold of discomfort and surrounding tissues, ligaments and bone are affected. The final stage, the sixth stage, is the loss of the tooth.

Any and all tooth decay can be avoided. Our teeth and gums are as unique as our fingerprints, we are all different. Our reaction to this natural occurrence is also different. By brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time you will remove the plaque from the surface of your teeth. By flossing once a day you will remove the plaque from the hard to reach areas. It is also suggested that you see your family dentist twice a year. They will help you with your preventative maintenance with regular professional teeth cleaning and x-rays. Take the time, protect your teeth and gums and your invaluable smile.