Tooth decay is one of those things that can creep up on you without any prior indication. Often, we are blindsided by the dentist when we are told that there is a cavity in our teeth that requires filling. But imagine finding out about tooth decay at its nascent stage – it gives one a fighting chance. As they say, forewarning is better than finding yourself in the emergency dental chair.
In these pages, I will show you the basic information regarding tooth decay, its etiology, and how to maintain the strength and health of your dentures directly from the best dentist in Nagpur.
What Factors Contribute to Tooth Decay?
It would be prudent to discuss the alterations that take place within the process of decay before proceeding to signs and symptoms. The initiating factor in cavity formation is plaque – a biofilm that is a conglomerate of saliva, bacterial colonies, acids, and sugars. When there is a diet that consists predominantly of carbohydrates and sugars, in particular before oral hygiene, the bacteria in plaque secrete acids that subsequently demineralize the tooth enamel leading to the development of caries.
Among some of the following commonly experienced causative factors:
- Improper/Effortless Oral Hygiene – Failure to brush or floss at regular intervals causes the accumulation of plaque, hence creating the best breeding grounds for bacteria
- High-fiber diet – A diet that is rich in sugary, juicy, or carbonate beverages, or sour/tart tasting snacks causes an increase in plaque acid therefore eroding the enamel.
- Reduced Salivary Flow – Saliva aids in diluting the acids produced and the other food residues present. Certain drugs, old age, or illness may cause less spit produced which predisposes to caries.
- Every Now And Then Eating Between Meals – Regularly eating between meals causes constant acidity in the mouth hence higher chances for the bacteria to destroy the tooth’s outer covering.
And now, let’s discuss the seven early symptoms of tooth decay that you need to watch out for.
7 Early Signs of Tooth Decay You Should Know
- Discomfort in Teeth From Temperature Extremes
Sensitive teeth are often one of the earliest signs of cavity development. Decay may be indicated when the consumption of even slightly hot liquids, for example, coffee, or cold solids like ice cream starts to cause a tingling or sharp sensation. The sensitivity occurs as the outer hard layer of the tooth, the enamel, begins to erode exposing the softer and more delicate parts of the tooth.
What to Do?
Therefore it is advisable to use sensitive teeth toothpaste to manage the pain but also keep in mind that this is a short-term solution. If the above pains persist it is recommended that you see a doctor to determine whether cavity formation is the cause of the problem.
- Evidence of discoloration, or Dark Spots
Decay begins most often with the appearance of micro white spots on the tooth surface where there are lost minerals. After some time, these spots are usually deepened in color and get brown or black shades. In case you see any odd patch on your teeth that does not stain out with brushing, it is advisable to go for a dental check-up.
What to Do?
Every dental cleaning should be accompanied by the monitoring of such lesions. Maintenance care allows the dentist to manage and contain the initiation of tooth decay before it becomes extensive.
- Odor In Mouth That Does Not Reduce
Chronic halitosis, or bad breath, or a bad breath in the mouth without self-recovery is another of the early stage signs of dental caries. As food particles in the oral cavity are ingested by bacteria, they produce sulfur compounds, which are responsible for bad breath. This bad breath may outlast even the most persistent efforts at brushing one’s mouth and may also indicate that the bacteria causing the cavities have not been completely flushed out.
What to Do?
Improving brushing and flossing methods can also help in alleviating bad breath. If it is persistent, dental treatment is important in eliminating the possible sources of decay.
- Pain In A Tooth While Biting or Chewing
When there is a sharp demand or a dull throbbing discomfort when biting down on tough food, this may serve as an indicator that one has developed dental caries. Pain in the tooth can sometimes point to the fact that the dental caries process has invaded the deeper structure of the tooth and the soft tissue inside the tooth known as dentin and pulp is now exposed. This causes severe pain especially when the person bites down on the tooth.
What to Do?
You should not take any pain while eating lightly. Arrange an appointment with a dentist to check the presence of caries or any other possible cause of pain.
- Sweet Sensitivity
It’s rather odd, but sweet sensitivity comes out as one of the dependable signs of caries activity. The increased sensitivity to sweet food or drinks when chewing can also be a significant sign that perhaps tooth decay has begun – the enamel may already be eroded, allowing further sugary foods to reach the internal areas of the teeth.
What to Do?
Very kindly limit your intake of sweetened products, simple snacks, and soft drinks while maintaining a good oral hygiene level. If the problem persists, then it is advisable to go back to the dentist for a checkup of the troubled parts.
- Development Of Visible Cavities
Cavities are torturous to one’s teeth because of their ability to deepen and spread over time. Decay or breakage in enamel can also result in the formation of cavities. You might even feel these places with your tongue. The formation of such cavities is due to the decay of the tooth surfaces and is a sign of advanced caries.
What to Do?
At this point, decay needs to be treated professionally. Only a dentist can fill these cavities and stop the decay from spreading further. Timely intervention can save the tooth from more extensive procedures such as root canals or extractions.
- Bleeding and Swollen Gums
While swollen and/or bleeding gums usually hint at gum disease, they may as well signal that dental caries have advanced under the gum tissue. This may also happen because the dental decay has affected the roots of the teeth, which may in turn frustrate and aggravate the gums making them sore and bloody.
What to Do?
It is important to understand that any alterations in the state of the gums are a reason to take a trip to the dentist. In this clinical setting, a dentist will be able to ascertain whether there is any decay that is affecting the risk of gum disease and offer the most suitable dental care options to ensure both the gums and teeth are healthy.
Some Prevention Tips to Care for Your Teeth
While an understanding of the early signs of tooth decay is critical, it is crucial not to allow for the decay at all. However, there are a few simple measures that can be taken to ensure that teeth remain in a healthy and non-decayed state:
- Practice Brushing and Flossing Your Teeth As Often As You Can – For example: make sure to brush your teeth a minimum of two times daily and do not forget to use dental floss every day and remove plaque that collects in between your teeth which is difficult to reach with a toothbrush.
- Avoid Too Much Sugar Consume Foods and Beverages Containing Added Sugar – This is because when their body consumes less sugar; the bacteria that induce tooth decay have less food to survive on.
- Consume Adequate Water – Drinking fluids enables one to produce saliva which helps fight the bacteria that can cause decay in his or her teeth.
- Brush Your Teeth Using Fluoride Toothpaste – This is because fluoride helps in the thickening of the outer covering of the teeth making it hard for any decaying process to take place. Talk with your doctor about fluoride application if you are more susceptible to cavities.
- See Your Dentist Regularly – This ensures that potential tooth decay is diagnosed and addressed while still at an early stage through scaling and polishing the teeth.
- Use Sugarless Gum Considered Healthy – The chewing of gum, healthy as it is, aids in the production of saliva which diminishes plaque acids and also cleans the teeth.
When You Should Visit a Dentist?
Perhaps the inclination to defer a dentist’s appointment as long as there are no complaints does seem understandable, but one must have a regular check-up to keep a beautiful smile. And if you happen to see any of these early signs of tooth decay or arouse some suspicion that everything is not alright, do not wait. The sooner the problem is identified and addressed the better it is for the teeth as the damage, pain, and more expensive procedures will not be required later.
Besides, it is evident that tooth decaying is something that many individuals encounter, however, it is possible to avert such occurrences by identifying the signs early and doing something. After all, from a little or no sensation to such things as spots and the condition of your gums, knowing the signs and symptoms gives one the ability to take care of their mouth.
It is good to note that prevention is better than cure and this applies to avoiding tooth cavities and the pain that comes with it. Before it is too late, please learn to pay attention to your teeth as they will appreciate you doing so.
All the aforementioned concerns and treatments are available at the best dentist in Nagpur for any patient having some concerns about early symptoms of tooth decay.