Afraid tooth decay will keep you from smiling? The black or brown spots and cavities don’t just keep your smile from staying clean and bright. Tooth decay can lead to conditions that cause you discomfort and even pain. So it’s best to get to the root of this problem before it gets to the root of your tooth. Learn all about tooth decay in the article below.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is a painfully common dental problem that affects people of all ages worldwide. It happens when plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, forms on the dental surface and produces acids that damage the enamel. The unfortunate thing? Tooth decay is one of the most preventable chronic conditions.
If allowed to remain, tooth decay causes tiny holes to form on your teeth’s surface. It typically starts as a dark speck but can develop into larger cavities if ignored. It can also lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and intense pain. You’ll find talking, laughing, and eating challenging at this stage.
But the good news is you can do plenty to avoid tooth decay and treat the issue. Find out how below!
How does tooth decay occur?
While millions of bacteria exist inside your mouth, only certain bacteria are associated with tooth decay. One of these is Streptococcus mutans – a tongue twister, right? They create acid from the sugar in the foods and drinks you consume.
This acid then begins to attack the tooth’s surface, dissolving the minerals inside the tooth enamel in a process called demineralisation. When your dental enamel loses its minerals, your tooth begins to weaken.
Demineralisation occurs each time you eat or drink. Fortunately, saliva and fluoride from your toothpaste neutralise the acids and replace the minerals on the tooth’s surface (remineralisation). You can see why brushing your teeth is essential in preventing tooth decay.
When your teeth do not have enough protection by the time the process repeats, the bacteria begin to wreak havoc. Here are other facts about tooth decay.
Stages of tooth decay
Here’s how tooth decay develops.
Plaque builds up on healthy teeth, producing acid that attacks your tooth enamel, or outer layer.
If not cleared away regularly, the plaque and its sustained acid attacks eventually weaken the enamel layer.
Then, tooth decay begins in your enamel, often appearing as a white spot near the gumline. If you do not have this treated, it can become a cavity or hole, allowing the decay to get into the inner layers of your teeth.
Left untreated, the decay moves deeper into the dentin, the layer under the enamel. It can then progress to the next stage, affecting the tooth pulp or connective tissue at the centre of each tooth.
In the final stages, your tooth may appear brown or black, and you may experience tooth sensitivity and pain. The decay can progress to the point where it causes a tooth abscess or infection, where pus can collect in the cavity.
This might all sound a bit doom and gloom. But getting in early, as soon as you notice any of these tell-tale signs and visiting your dentist will help you steer clear of these worst-case scenarios and have you flashing a smile to be proud of!
How to prevent tooth decay
You can do several things to prevent tooth decay, the most important being to clean your teeth regularly. Here are some must-do tips for keeping your mouth healthy:
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice daily for at least two minutes. Also, brush about 30 minutes or more after consuming sugary food or drinks or meals in general. You may wish to buy an electric toothbrush for easy, efficient brushing.
- Thoroughly clean between your teeth daily using dental floss or an interdental brush; this is especially important if you are wearing orthodontic devices like braces.
- Maintain a healthy diet. Cut down on sugary and highly acidic food and beverages.
- Stick to regular visits to the dentist, ideally twice each year. Apart from a dental cleaning, you’ll be able to share information with and ask questions of your dentist so you can work together to take better care of your teeth and mouth.
- Fix crooked teeth or any misalignment as soon as possible, as these make it easy for food particles and bacteria to get stuck between your teeth. Tip: keep your smile clear and bright with invisible dental aligners like ClearCorrect; you can ask your dentist about these and other options.
You should still commit to a solid dental care routine even if you lead a busy lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to ask your dentist for advice on best practices, especially if you have medical conditions or lifestyle habits to consider.
How to treat tooth decay
If you catch tooth decay at its earliest stage, your dentist can help you stop the progression. This will leave you with a slight mark or discolouration on your tooth.
Allow the decay to progress, and your dentist may need to cut out the soft tooth decay and place filling material in the space or cavity that may have formed. Advanced stages may call for tooth extraction, after which you may want to look into tooth replacement options. To ensure it doesn’t get this far, watch for signs of enamel erosion, visit your dentist regularly, and maintain good oral hygiene.
5 facts about tooth decay
Knowledge is power, and learning more about tooth decay, its causes, and how it’s prevented and treated can help you banish it from your mouth. Learn a few more interesting and helpful facts below:
1. Tooth decay is the second most common disease worldwide.
Next to the common cold, it is the second most common disease and a leading cause of tooth loss in adults. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that 60 to 90% of children worldwide and nearly 100% of adults have experienced tooth decay.
The Australian Dental Association reveals that untreated tooth decay affects one in three Australian adults over 15. Meanwhile, one in three children aged five to six has already had damage in a baby tooth.
Imagine how much of that could have been prevented with proper toothbrushing.
2. Sugar is the main culprit.
Sugary foods and drinks are the main culprits behind cavities. The sugars in these food items can increase the acid produced by your mouth’s bacteria, which can advance the breakdown of tooth enamel.
How do you prevent tooth decay even with a sweet tooth? First, limit your sweets intake and brush your teeth immediately after consuming them, even without a toothbrush handy.
3. Fluoride in your water can help prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and can prevent erosion. You can find fluoride in toothpaste, mouthwash, and even tap water.
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) found that fluoridated water can reduce the risk of cavities by up to 27% in adults. If your water supply does not contain fluoride, your dentist may recommend fluoride treatments to help protect your teeth.
4. Not brushing your teeth puts you at risk.
Not brushing and flossing regularly could be a major risk factor for developing decay. Plaque can build up on your teeth, leading to the breakdown of tooth enamel and the development of cavities.
The American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says your chances of developing a cavity increase by more than 30% if you don’t brush twice a day. It’s the bare minimum if you want to remove plaque and prevent tooth decay.
5. Straight teeth play a role, too.
Thought straight teeth were just for looks? The truth is having crooked or misaligned teeth can negatively impact your overall oral health. Having straight teeth improves your bite and allows you to keep up with daily oral hygiene practices. That you can scrub every point of the surface is only the tip of the iceberg.
Braces are a common way to straighten your teeth. But perhaps you want a treatment that won’t interfere with your day-to-day activities, including brushing your teeth. ClearCorrect, a global leader in clear-aligner orthodontics, utilises a revolutionary tri-layer ClearQuartz material, a flat trimline, and other customisable features to create an effective teeth-straightening solution.
ClearCorrect certified dental professionals also use ClearPilot, a digital planning tool that lets you visualise every step of your treatment, empowering you to understand and review the process. Find out if ClearCorrect is right for you by taking this smile assessment.
Want terrific oral health? Visit your dentist regularly to check for the early signs of tooth decay.
References:
Australian Government National Health And Medical Research Council. (2017). Water Fluoridation and Human Health in Australia: Questions and Answers. Building a Healthy Australia.
Cavities. (n.d.). https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/fast-facts/cavities/index.html
Dental Caries (Tooth Decay) in Adults (Ages 20 to 64 Years). (n.d.). National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Department of Health and Aged Care, Australian Government (n.d.). Tooth decay. healthdirect.gov.au
Tooth decay – Australian Dental Association. (n.d.). Teeth.org.au.
World Health Organization: WHO. (2023, March 14). Oral health.
