Introduction
You must have suffered from toothache and decay during your life. What have you done for treatment? Do you know what decay actually means? In this article from the website of Dr. Ahmad Shibaninia, we will introduce you to tooth decay and related issues.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is one of the most common problems and the second disease among people after cold. This infectious disease, which starts from the surface of the tooth and gradually progresses in the entire structure of the tooth, is caused by the activity of microbes. To cause tooth decay, microbes must have access to sugary substances so that they can produce acid to destroy the mineral structure of the tooth. This disease can be transmitted from one tooth to another.
The cause of tooth decay
Several causes are involved in the development of this disease, including the issue of heredity, which means the effect of good tooth material on its durability. Other related factors are microbes, sugary substances, personal resistance, tooth resistance and time. These several factors together cause caries, and if each of them is not present, the tooth will not decay. For example, without the presence of microbes, the tooth will not decay, and if there are microbes, but sugary substances are not present, the intensity of decay will decrease. Microbes and sugar cannot cause caries in people who have natural resistance to this disease, and after all, all these factors cannot cause caries and damage in one day, but a period of time must pass so that these factors can destroy the hard surface of the teeth.
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How do sugary substances cause tooth decay?
Almost everyone knows that sugary substances can damage teeth. Microbes in microbial plaque use the sugar in food and turn it into acid. This acid dissolves tooth enamel and decay begins. But can we eliminate sugar from our daily food? Consuming sugary foods is harmful to the health of the teeth. The more these substances are used, the more times they are used, the more sticky they are and the more they are sucrose (normal sugar), the more caries they cause. Therefore, it must be said that although it is not possible to completely remove sugar from daily food, it is possible to reduce their harmful effect by using various methods.
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Time and speed of tooth decay
Tooth decay does not happen in one moment and one day, but it takes time for the enamel to dissolve and the soft tissue of the enamel to be destroyed. Research has shown that it takes 2 to 5 minutes for acid to be created after eating food and sugary substances reach the plaque microbes. During 10 minutes, the amount of acid reaches its maximum value, then it remains the same for 20 to 60 minutes, and after that it gradually returns to normal. Every time you eat, the microbial plaque environment becomes acidic, and until this acidic environment returns to normal, when you eat again, the oral environment becomes acidic again. In this way, teeth decay. If a child consumes a sweet drink 9 times a day, after some time spots will be found on his teeth, which is a sign of the beginning of decay. In general, tooth decay is more of a disease of teenagers, that is, teeth usually deteriorate more immediately after coming out, than at older ages when they have been in the mouth for some time. Therefore, the importance of taking care of teeth at this age is clearly defined.
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Personal and dental resistance
There is a set of defense factors in each person’s mouth that resists the development of caries. The state of oral saliva and the cells in it, the shape and form of the teeth, the way the teeth are placed, the gender, etc., have an effect on the level of caries to some extent, in addition, some people show more resistance against destructive factors. A person’s resistance may be hereditary, congenital or acquired. Also, resistance may be permanent or temporary. However, according to researchers, two main factors, namely microbes and sugar substances, are the most important factors that cause caries. Of course, there are ways to strengthen the tooth structure. One of these ways is to deliver fluoride to the teeth, fluoride increases the resistance of teeth against decay.
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Types of tooth decay
Tooth decay includes different types as follows:
- The formation of plaques
Dental plaque is a transparent adhesive layer that covers the surface of the tooth. This happens as a result of eating too much sugary and starchy foods and then the teeth sit well. When these materials are not cleaned well from the surface of the teeth, bacteria feed on them and form plaque.
- Microbial plaque attacks
The acid in the plaque destroys the minerals in the hard part of the tooth (outer enamel) and causes cavities and cracks in the tooth enamel.
- Continued tooth decay
After the wear and tear of tooth enamel, bacteria and acid go to the next layer, tooth dentin. This layer is softer and less resistant to acid. As the tooth becomes more rotten, bacteria and acid continue to advance to the inner layers of the tooth, which include nerves and blood vessels, as a result of which the pulp or marrow of the tooth swells, and since there is no place for the swelling to expand in the tooth, it puts pressure on the nerves and causes pain. The complications of tooth decay include pain, abscess, swelling around the tooth, broken teeth, and chewing problems.
Remove tooth decay
If the decay is in its early stages, the dentist prevents its progress by applying fluoride on the tooth. If decay has caused the loss of tooth enamel and the creation of a cavity, the softer part of the tooth is separated in the decayed area and the cavity is filled with special materials.
But if the root of the tooth is damaged, there is a need for root treatment or denervation, during which the nerve of the tooth is completely removed and filled with special materials and a veneer is placed on the tooth. If the tooth is damaged beyond repair, it can be extracted by a dentist.
Pills to prevent tooth decay
A mineral that prevents tooth decay is fluoride. It can be prescribed and used in different ways.
- Local method: such as toothpaste, mouthwash, varnish and gel
- Systemic method: fluoride supplements, water containing fluoride, salt
Fluoride supplements are prescribed in tablet, lozenge, and liquid form. Using these supplements, compared to not using them, reduces the progress of caries in permanent teeth.
When daily brushing with toothpaste does not contain fluoride or when the risk of caries is increasing, the use of additional sources of fluoride is recommended.
read: Orthodontic transparent plate
How to stop tooth decay at home
In this section, we will provide methods to prevent the progress of tooth decay:
- After eating and drinking, teeth should be brushed with fluoride and hypoallergenic toothpaste.
- Regular use of salt water after eating any food
- Using special anti-caries mouthwashes
- Timely and regular scaling that removes the decay deposited in the tooth and helps the health of the teeth and mouth.
- Eating foods that are good for your teeth, such as eating balanced and nutritious meals and limiting snacks
- Using vegetable oils such as coconut and sesame oil, which involves swirling these oils in the mouth for a few minutes and spitting it out.
- Using licorice root, licorice root has an extract that can fight decay.
- Using aloe vera gel that destroys harmful bacteria.
- Drink plenty of water
What to eat to prevent tooth decay
You can prevent tooth decay and spoilage of these precious pearls with proper nutrition. Fruits and vegetables that are rich in fiber have anti-decay properties. In general, foods that contain fiber stimulate the flow of saliva, which is a natural defense barrier against decay. Twenty minutes later, eating these fibrous substances will neutralize the saliva and the acids that attack the teeth. Vegetables and fruits such as apples, carrots, celery, etc. contain high fiber.
Due to the presence of vitamin C and other nutritional values, apples, cabbage and carrots remove plaque from the teeth, and the antioxidants in them help to maintain and increase the strength of the gums. Consumption of berries, especially strawberries, causes scale removal and cleaning of the surface of the teeth and mouth space from any type of germs.
last word
If you have tooth decay, don’t worry! Today, with the progress of science, such worries have no place. But keep in mind that prevention is always better than cure. In this article from the website of Dr. Ahmad Shibani Nia; Orthodontic specialist in TehranWe introduced you to tooth decay and its prevention and treatment methods. We hope it was useful.