Causes of tooth decay

Major causes of tooth decay are sugary and sticky foods and beverages. The more sugar
consumed, the more acid, which gets produced, leading to decay.

Stages
〜 Teeth are coated in a layer of bacteria known as plaque
〜 The bacteria in plaque feed on food particles in the mouth, and produce acid as a waste
product
〜 The acid attacks and destroys the enamel, then the dentine
〜 A cavity is formed
〜 The cavity can be drilled and filled in by a dentist to stop any further decay
〜 If the cavity is not treated, decay reaches the nerve
〜 The damaged nerve becomes very painful
〜 If the decaying process has destroyed too much of the tooth, it may require extraction

Symptoms of tooth decay

〜 Toothache - either continuous pain keeping you awake or occasional sharp pain without
an obvious cause
〜 Tooth sensitivity – you may feel tenderness or pain when consuming something hot,
cold or sweet.
〜 Discoloration - grey, brown or black spots appearing on teeth
〜 Bad breath or unpleasant tastes in the mouth

Effects of tooth decay

〜 The cavity may emit unpleasant odours and cause bad breath. This directly affects
normal social life
〜 Tooth decay may lead to persistent pain, which affects one's appetite, studies, work,
sleep, or even general health
〜 When there is severe tooth decay, the bacteria may spread from the pulp to the
surrounding periodontal tissues via the apex of the tooth, leading to inflammation or
even the formation of dental abscess, a buildup of pus that forms inside the teeth or
gums
〜 If a tooth is severely damaged that even pulp treatment cannot be done, an extraction
is necessary. After the extraction, the neighbouring teeth may drift towards the empty
space and cause malalignment of teeth.

Treatment of tooth decay

〜 Fluoride treatments - if the cavity just started, a fluoride treatment may help restore your
tooth's enamel and can sometimes reverse a cavity in the very early stages.
 〜 Fillings - the main treatment option when decay has progressed beyond the earliest
stage. Fillings are made of various materials, such as tooth-colored composite resins,
porcelain or dental amalgam
〜 Crowns - for extensive decay or weakened teeth, you may need a crown — a custom-
fitted covering that replaces your tooth's entire natural crown. The dentist drills away all
the decayed area and enough of the rest of your tooth to ensure a good fit
〜 Root canals - when decay reaches the inner material of your tooth (pulp), you may need
a root canal. This is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth
instead of removing it. The diseased tooth pulp is removed. Medication is sometimes put
into the root canal to clear any infection. Then the pulp is replaced with a filling
〜 Tooth extractions - some teeth become so severely decayed that they can't be restored
and must be removed. Having a tooth pulled can leave a gap that allows your other teeth
to shift. If possible, you may consider getting a bridge or a dental implant to replace the
missing tooth.

Prevention of tooth decay

〜 Keep a good dietary habit - every time we eat or drink, demineralization occurs at the
surface of our teeth creates a chance for getting tooth decay. The more often we eat and
drink, the greater the chances for us to have tooth decay. Avoid snacking in between
meals. If you feel hungry in between meals, snack once on healthy foods. When you feel
thirsty, just drink plain water to quench thirst instead of sugary beverages.
〜 Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste in the morning and before bed at night -
fluoride strengthens the teeth by increasing their resistance to acid attack. Fluoride also
facilitates mineral to re-enter the teeth (remineralization) and helps repair early tooth
decay lesions.
〜 Have regular dental check-ups - do this at least once a year so that early tooth decay
can be diagnosed at an early stage. Preventive dental treatments such as fissure
sealants can be applied when appropriate.