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Tooth Decay
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What is Tooth Decay? |
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Tooth decay or cavities or caries are a perennial problem. Tooth decay as the name
suggests means deterioration of the tooth. It is not life threatening and is highly
preventable, though it affects most people to some degree during their lifetime.
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What Causes Tooth Decay?
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Tooth Decay occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates
like soft drinks, chocolates, ice cream, milk, and cakes, fruits, and juices.
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How Does Decay Start? |
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Tooth decay is common dental disease occurs at any time or age, however, since the
onset of tooth decay is strongly related to the unregulated consumption of sweet
foods and beverages. It tends to affect young children, adolescents more than older
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1st Stage
2nd Stage
3rd Stage
4th Stage |
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1st Stage |
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These foods leave deposits on your teeth. Mouth, contains bacteria where they break
down food particles and produce acid. The acid acts on enamel with repeated attacks
a tiny hole is formed in the tooth. Teeth have moderate ability to repair enamel
by remineralizing the affected enamel. If the rate of destruction exceeds a tiny
hole and at first then becomes larger, the patient then complaints of pain or sensitivity.
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2nd Stage |
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If left untreated, the repeated attack of acid causes further spread of cavity and
it enters from enamel to dentine. Since the dentine is softer than enamel the cavity
spreads very fast. The patient usually feels sensation and little pain. This is
warning signal for patient to get it filled immediately. Pain can be stopped.
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3rd Stage |
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If left untreated the cavity will eventually destroy dentine and spreads deeper
in to pulp and nerve. This can be very painful. At this stage only root canal treatment
can save the tooth.
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4th Stage |
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If left untreated the decay spreads to the root and causes abscess, which leads
in to destruction of surrounding bone with shooting pain. At this only a root canal
treatment can save the tooth in some cases, the tooth may have to be extracted.
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How to Prevent Tooth Decay? |
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Prevention as you know is better than cure. Good oral hygiene significantly reduces
your risk of getting decay. Flossing is essential as it reaches 35 % of the tooth
surfaces that your toothbrush cannot reach. In these areas bacteria live happily
and produce acid, which causes decay. Remember brushing without flossing is like
taking a shower and only washing two thirds of your body the remaining third still
remains dirty.
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Watch what you eat
Watch when you eat
Watch what toothpaste you use
Visit your dentist regularly |
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Watch What you Eat |
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Avoid food that remains stuck to your teeth. Food like chocolates, toffees, and
milk products.
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Watch When you Eat |
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Avoid in-between-meals snacks because larger intervals between meals allow more
opportunities for the acid to be neutralized.
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Watch What Toothpaste you Use |
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Use fluoride toothpaste – which toughens your enamel making it more resistant
to acid attacks. Use Fluoride to prevent decay, Fluoride is naturally occurring
element that prevents tooth decay. Maximum decay reduction is produced when fluoride
is available systematically for incorporation during tooth development and topical
effect after eruption. It makes the enamel more resistant to tooth decay and it
can repair early dental decay.
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Visit your Dentist Regularly |
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Dental problems often remain silent creating pain only after significant damage
has occurred. Dentists can identify many of these potentially devastating problems
before they cause major damage. Additionally dentists can detect places in your
mouth that you miss while brushing. These areas are prime targets for cavity formation,
areas where cavities are just beginning to form the dentist can use high concentration
fluoride treatments to prevent need for other dental treatment. Whether you like
the sound of drills or not, do visit your dentist. He can identify a problem long
before it becomes a major problem thus saving a big toothache.
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What Can I Do if I Have Tooth Decay?
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If you have developed blackened spots on tooth surface, don’t wait till you get
sensitivity or pain in tooth it may be you are in first stages of tooth decay; visit
the dentist immediately to undertake examination. If tooth decay is in very early
stages he may remove decay and restore it with a restorative material. If the decay
is deep he may take a x-ray and follow the treatment accordingly
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Is Tooth Decay Still a Serious Problem? |
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Yes, tooth decay is an infectious disease that continues to be significant oral
health problem. Tooth decay is the most common and costly health problem in all
age groups. A dramatic increase in tooth loss occurs among people 35 to 45 years
of age due to dental decay and periodontal disease. |
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What is Treatment Done for Tooth Decay?
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a. Examination of teeth is carried out
b. If necessary x-ray is taken
c. Decay is removed
d. Depending upon the stage of tooth decay, destruction of tooth structure and location
of tooth the following can be used to restore the tooth.
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1.Sealants.
2.Composite Restoration
3.Silver Amalgam Restoration4.Inlay
5.Onlay
6.Crown
7.Root Canal Treatment |
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Alternative |
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There are no substitutes to maintaining adequate oral hygiene other than brushing
and flossing. Prevention of dental problems is much easier and cheaper than correction. |
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Summary and Conclusion |
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Healthy teeth and gums, fresh breath, proper digestion and an attractive appearance
are the rewards of consistent dental care. Your teeth have the potential to serve
you faithfully for your entire life.
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Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste
Floss your teeth daily
Eat a balanced diet
dentist at regular intervals.
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