The condition of your teeth dramatically impacts both general and overall health. Therefore, you should never ignore any signs of tooth decay because it could develop into something more severe if left untreated early.
The symptoms that indicate the presence of decay can be difficult to recognize, but fortunately for you, we have created this article. Please go through it to recognize the symptoms and get the treatment earlier
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is an issue many people suffer from once or later in their lifetime. The bacteria in our mouths can cause tooth decay. The bacteria thrive on sugars found in the foods we eat. It provides them with the energy needed for survival. These bacteria in our mouths can cause plaque, resulting in tooth damage, also known as dental caries. In addition, it results in early-onset cavities.
In our mouths, bacteria produce acid that attacks the enamel on teeth causing them to break down and lead to dark spots or, eventually, holes in your smile. However, saliva is the good guy that helps prevent tooth decay by fighting bacteria, containing acids causing damage, and using minerals to reverse early signs of a cavity.
Tooth decay is inevitable when bacteria acid exceeds your saliva’s protective elements.
Signs of Tooth Decay
You may not realize the extent of your dental problems if you don’t experience any symptoms. So, let’s discuss the six significant signs of tooth decay.
1. Sensitivity To Sweet
When we eat sweets or drinks, they can sometimes give us a clue as to whether there is any pain coming from one of our teeth. It could be an early symptom that needs treatment by the dentist. The dentist can check for a cavity by looking at the teeth.
4. Pits On Teeth
Tooth decay is a silent disease indicated by small pits or holes in one’s teeth. These signs may not always show up right away. But if you notice any of these indicators, then please seek dental care immediately because there could still potentially exist more damage waiting to happen.
2. Toothache
If you are experiencing dull or throbbing aches that increase each day, it’s time to visit your dentist. When detected, early tooth decay can be easier and prevented from recurring because of the treatment options available at our practice.
5. Extreme Sensitivity
Shocking your face every time someone puts ice in your drink might indicate sensitivity to cold things. However, if it only happens when food is too hot, or dishes feel burning on contact with the skin – this could mean cavities.
3. Bleeding or Swelling of Gum
When you notice your gums starting to bleed and swell at the same time, it is vital to see a dentist soon. It could be an early sign of tooth decay that requires immediate treatment or else could cause permanent damage to healthy tissue.
6. Pus Around Gums
An abscess is a pain you feel when pus oozes out of your gums and around the tooth. It can result from untreated dental cavities, previous work, or injury to a region. It requires additional care from professional oral health therapists who know what they’re doing because getting worse could lead to severe complications, making matters much more difficult.
What can you do to prevent tooth decay?
So now that you know what tooth decay looks like, the next step is preventing it from happening. What can you do?
There’s no way around practicing good oral hygiene to avoid having any signs or symptoms showing up on our teeth. So here are some ways you can prevent your teeth from getting damaged by decay:
We all know that eating healthy and keeping your diet low on sugar will help you stay fit and promote dental health.
To maintain good oral hygiene, brush your teeth twice daily and floss once. Maintaining proper hydration for the mouth is vital in preventing tooth decay.
The best way to improve your saliva flow is by drinking lots of tap water.
Carrying around a bottle or cup for sips during the day can help keep you hydrated, which will, in turn, lead to better mouth health.
Chew sugar-free gum after every meal to keep your mouth from drying and feeling uncomfortable. The natural moisture will help stimulate saliva production, making it easier to swallow any food particles and keeping your teeth healthy.
Fissure sealants can be an excellent way to fill deep grooves in your teeth, but they’re not right for everyone. Before making any decisions, you must talk with a dentist about whether or not this procedure would work well on your mouth
Contact Your Local Dentist!
Early tooth decay and a healthier diet can make significant differences in oral health. Your hygienist may also give you some tips on how best to prevent further problems from happening.
You can reverse early tooth decay by eating healthier and using your dentist’s tips to prevent further problems. In more advanced cases where you have had cavities repaired, our dentists will use filling materials like natural teeth that blend in with your smile for a seamless look.
Dental care is never too late to start caring for your teeth and smile. However, if you are worried that you may have tooth decay or haven’t visited the dentist in a while, why not schedule an appointment with our experienced team at Designer Smiles? We will ensure all those fears go away by performing comprehensive exams on every patient before they leave us.
For more information, contact Designer Smiles at (02) 8074 1722 or book an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Early tooth decay can be difficult to identify, but there are a few key signs you can see. The most common sign is a chalky white spot on the tooth. It indicates that the enamel has been eroded,
and the underlying dentin is exposed. Another sign is a cavity that is larger than the size of a grain of rice. You can consult a dentist if you notice any of these signs. Tooth decay can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss if left untreated.
Moreover, tooth decay is identified by a visual inspection of the teeth and x-rays. Tooth decay is a progressive disease that starts with the formation of tooth plaque. If left untreated, tooth plaque will mineralize and form tartar (a hard, calcified deposit). The tartar will then irritate the tooth’s enamel surface and create cavities. Cavities are not only unsightly but can also be quite painful. In advanced cases, tooth decay can even lead to the loss of teeth.
X-rays help to identify any early signs of cavities so that they are easier to treat before they become a bigger problem.
Tooth decay initially looks like a white or yellow spot on the tooth. It’s called a “cavity” or “lesion”. The site may be small or large, and it may be easy or difficult to see. As the decay gets worse, it can turn into a black or brown spot. Finally, the decay can cause the tooth to break or fall out if left untreated.
The decay process starts when bacteria in your mouth form a sticky film on your teeth called plaque. Plaque contains acids that can dissolve the enamel on your teeth. It leads to cavities and tooth decay.
The best way to avoid tooth decay is to brush your teeth twice daily, floss once a day, and see your dentist for regular checkups.
If you think you have tooth decay, contact your dentist for a diagnosis and treatment plan. Early detection and treatment of tooth decay are essential to prevent further damage to the teeth.
Tooth decay in children can be challenging, as the early symptoms are often very mild. However, parents should watch out for a few signs of tooth decay in children. These include:
- A reluctance to eat or drink anything because of tooth pain.
- Teeth sensitive to hot or cold temperatures
- A bad taste, especially after eating sweets.
- Mouth odor, even after brushing teeth regularly.
- The presence of white spots or cavities on the teeth
In addition, one of the most common symptoms of tooth decay is excessive thirst. Bacteria in the mouth cause tooth decay, which produces acids that can dissolve tooth enamel. These acids can also damage the roots of teeth, leading to sensitivity and pain.
Another common symptom is bad breath. It occurs when bacteria present in your mouth break down food particles and release unpleasant-smelling gases. Bacteria also cause plaque on teeth, leading to cavities and gum disease.
Tooth decay starts at a very young age. Even before your baby’s first tooth appears, the gums may be affected by early decay. Decay can occur when bacteria mix with sugar from food or drink.
Young children are more likely to decay because they have not yet developed strong teeth and their immune systems are not as strong as adults. Therefore, starting good oral health habits is essential so your child will have healthy teeth for a lifetime.
Tooth decay is a condition that can be treated with a variety of dental procedures, including fillings, root canals, and extractions. Treatment will vary depending on the severity of the decay and the extent of damage to the tooth.
In most cases, tooth decay can be treated with fillings. Fillings help to repair teeth that have been damaged by cavities or other types of decay. In some cases, a root canal may be necessary to treat an infection in the tooth pulp. If the tooth cannot be saved, it may need to be extracted. Extraction is usually a last resort and is only used if there is no other way to save the tooth.