Dental caries (also known as tooth decay or dental cavities) is one of the most common health conditions in the world.
Severe dental caries hurt the overall health and frequently cause pain and infection, which may necessitate tooth extraction. Dental caries can affect anyone, and children and adolescents are particularly vulnerable.
Dental caries develop over time; acid production from bacterial sugar metabolism causes loss of tooth substance (enamel and dentine). Early stages of dental caries often cause no symptoms, but advanced stages can cause pain, infections and abscesses, and in rare cases a serious infection that spreads.
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Damage to the tooth’s outer layer, the enamel, is meant by the term “tooth decay.” Acids produced by oral bacteria damage the enamel of your teeth. Tooth decay results in holes in your teeth referred to as cavities (dental caries). Tooth decay, if left untreated, can cause discomfort, infection, and even the loss of a tooth.
Cavities are very common in Canadian adults and teens. Oral health is frequently overlooked, but it is a critical component of our daily lives. It’s never too late to take charge of your oral health and avoid dental issues.
While brushing and flossing are two of the most important daily habits for keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you can do a few other simple things to avoid toothaches or tooth loss. Here are some ideal oral health habits that most people can do to help prevent cavities.
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Brush your teeth regularly, using the proper brush
This is the most obvious tip, and you’ve probably been hearing it since you were too small to ride the big rides. But first, let us explain why it is critical for your oral health and overall health.
Bacteria grow by feeding on the sugars in the foods and drinks we consume, leaving behind waste in a biofilm known as dental plaque. This plaque allows those little recyclers to linger on your teeth for longer, eventually producing acids that wear down the tooth enamel and cause cavities. Brushing your teeth is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help prevent cavities because it removes significant bacteria and plaque in just a few minutes per day. Brush your teeth after meals and before going to bed.
Brushing before bed (or after a late-night snack) is especially important because allowing bacteria to linger on your teeth overnight can cause enamel-damaging acid to form, which can lead to cavities.
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Additionally, an antimicrobial mouthwash may help reduce bacteria while freshening the breath. It does not replace brushing and flossing, so ask your dentist whether one suits you. Want to boost your bacteria-fighting abilities throughout the day? Brush your teeth after lunch at work. If possible, keep a separate toothbrush and paste kit at work to fill in the long gaps between morning and night.
After each meal, rinse your mouth with water
Rinsing your mouth with water after eating can help wash away food. This is especially helpful after snacks, sugary drinks, candy, or mints.
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Visit a dental clinic
Visit your dentist for checkups and professional cleaning as often as your dentist recommends; for many people this is every six months. Regular visits help find decay early, when it is usually easier to treat. Take a child to the dentist when the first tooth appears or by their first birthday.
Consume crunchy fruits and vegetables
Ready-to-eat foods are convenient, but they may not be good for your teeth. Fresh, crunchy produce contains more fibre and is a good choice for your teeth, as it is less likely to stick to them. It does not replace brushing and flossing.
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Limit your intake of sugary and acidic foods
Do you require a morning latte, a daily cup of coffee, or a hot cup of tea? Prolonged exposure to acidic coffee or tea on your teeth, especially with added sugar, can increase your risk of developing new cavities. Bacteria in your mouth turn sugar into acid, which can erode the enamel of your teeth. These acids cause cavities. Acidic foods, teas, and coffee can all erode tooth enamel.
While you don’t have to avoid such foods entirely, it never hurts to be aware. Reduce your intake of sugary and acidic beverages, and drink more water. Go ahead and enjoy your coffee! However, try not to sip it over long periods, and rinse your mouth with water afterward. For cold sugary drinks, a straw may help keep them off your teeth.
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Drinking fluoridated water
Water is a great choice for your teeth and your body, and staying hydrated supports your overall health. Drinking water also helps keep your teeth healthy, especially if it’s fluoridated.
Choose unsweetened tea
Some studies suggest compounds in black tea may help limit mouth bacteria, though tea can also stain teeth. If you drink tea, choose sugar-free tea. Cutting back on sugar can help lower the risk of plaque buildup, bleeding gums and tooth decay, because mouth bacteria turn sugar into acid that can wear away enamel.
Flossing is just as important as brushing
Many people who brush their teeth regularly fail to floss. Flossing can help remove food particles and plaque stuck between two teeth, a common place for decay to start. Thus, floss at least once a day.
However, many factors contribute to decay even after taking care of the above-listed things. This happens due to poor habits.
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Here is a list of common tooth decay habits that can harm your teeth.
1. Biting one’s nails
This nervous habit can chip teeth, harm the jaw, and expose your mouth to bacteria found under your nails. To reduce nail-biting, paint bitter nail polish or do meditation.
2. Do not make your teeth as tools
When you use your teeth for something other than what they were designed for, such as opening a bottle or cutting off a price tag, you risk cracking your teeth and causing food lodgement followed by decay or injuring your jaw. Keep simple tools in your hands, such as a bottle opener and scissors, to avoid the temptation to use your teeth.
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3. Constant Snacking
When you eat, cavity-forming bacteria in your mouth feast on leftover food particles, producing acid that erodes your enamel and leads to decay. Rather than snacking frequently, eat balanced, protein-rich meals and drink plenty of water to wash away leftover food particles.
4. Grinding of the Teeth
Stress and anxiety are common triggers for bruxism, or the grinding of the teeth. Teeth grinding can wear down and crack teeth, leaving them more vulnerable to damage. Talk to your dentist about a custom night guard, and to your doctor if stress or sleep problems may be involved.
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5. Excessive Brushing
Brushing your teeth aggressively can irritate the gums, cause gum recession, erode tooth enamel, and cause tooth sensitivity. Use a soft toothbrush to avoid hard brushing and replace it every 3-4 months or when the bristles show signs of wear.
6. Tobacco Use
Cigarette smoking harms your heart and lungs and hurts your oral health. Smoking increases your risk of gum disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and oral cancer, and can cause tooth discolouration, bad breath, and taste loss. Your dentist can help you reduce the effects of smoking, but quitting is the most helpful step; a pharmacist, doctor or dentist can suggest support.
7.Binge Drinking
Alcohol causes dry mouth. A lack of saliva can lead to bad breath because it inhibits the body’s ability to remove bacteria from the mouth and increases the likelihood of cavities developing. Many alcoholic drinks are also acidic and can wear away the enamel. Cutting back on alcohol, or choosing water instead, can help your teeth and your overall health. Talk to your doctor if you want support.
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Conclusion/What are the tooth decay treatments?
A dental clinic in Calgary can provide tooth decay treatments. The severity of the problem determines the treatment you receive:
- Treatments with fluoride. Fluoride treatment may help the enamel repair itself if you have early tooth decay.
- Fillings. If you have a typical cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed tooth tissue before filling the cavity with a filling material.
- Root canal treatment in Calgary. If the decay or infection reaches the pulp (the soft tissue inside the tooth), you may require a root canal in Calgary. Your dentist will remove the infected pulp and clean the inside of the tooth and root. The tooth may be filled with a temporary filling. Then you’ll need to return for a permanent filling or a crown (a cover on the tooth).
- Tooth extraction (pulling the tooth). When the pulp damage cannot be repaired, your dentist may recommend removing the tooth in the most severe cases. Tooth extraction in Calgary is performed when tooth-saving is not possible. Your dentist may suggest Dental Bridges in NE Calgary, a denture or Dental Implants Near NE Calgary to replace the missing tooth. Otherwise, the teeth adjacent to the gap may shift and alter your bite.
See your dentist if you have tooth pain, sensitivity to sweets, hot or cold, a hole or dark spot on a tooth, or pain when biting. Call 911 if you have trouble breathing or swallowing. If you have facial swelling with a fever, go to an emergency department or call Health Link 811 (24/7 advice from a registered nurse). Otherwise, call the clinic at 403-345-1110.
Next step: Learn about tooth-coloured fillings at The Port Dental Clinic in Calgary NE. We are open 7 days a week and accept new patients. Book online or call 403-345-1110.
