May 4, 2023 | Have you brushed your teeth today? Dental caries, better known as tooth decay, remains the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults, even though it is largely preventable. Tooth decay begins when bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth’s surface, better known as the enamel. This can lead to a small hole in a tooth, called a cavity. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss. People of all ages can get tooth decay once they have teeth, from childhood through the senior years. Young children are at risk for “early childhood caries,” sometimes called baby bottle tooth decay. This severe tooth decay starts in the baby’s front teeth and extends to the back teeth. Because many older adults experience receding gums, which allows decay-causing bacteria in the mouth to come into contact with the tooth’s root, they can get decay on the exposed root surfaces of their teeth.

May 4, 2023 | You may or may not already know this but your mouth is full of bacteria. Some bacteria are helpful. But some can be harmful, including the ones that play a role in tooth decay. These bacteria combine with food to form a soft, sticky film called plaque. The bacteria in plaque use the sugar and starch in what you eat and drink to make acids. The acids begin to eat away at the minerals on your enamel. Over time, the plaque can harden into tartar. Besides damaging your teeth, plaque and tartar can also irritate your gums and cause gum disease. You get fluoride from toothpaste, water, and other sources. This fluoride, along with your salvia, helps the enamel repair itself by replacing the minerals. Your teeth go through this natural process of losing minerals and regaining minerals all day long. But if you don’t take care of your teeth and/or you eat and drink lots of sugary or starchy things, your enamel will keep losing minerals. This leads to tooth decay.

May 4, 2023 | Sensitivity to sweets, hot or cold is one of the signs of tooth decay. The main risk factors for tooth decay are not taking care of your teeth and having too many sugary or starchy foods and drinks. Unfortunately, some people have a higher risk of tooth decay. This includes people who don’t have enough saliva, because of medicines, certain diseases, or some cancer treatments, and people who don’t get enough fluoride. Babies and toddlers who drink from bottles are at risk, especially if they are given juice or get bottles at bedtime. This exposes their teeth to sugars for long periods of time. Many older adults have receding gums and more wear on their teeth. These raise the risk of decay on the exposed root surfaces of their teeth. Dentists usually find tooth decay and cavities by looking at your teeth and probing them with dental instruments. Your dentist will also ask if you have any symptoms. Sometimes you may need a dental X-ray.

May 4, 2023 | There are several treatments for tooth decay and cavities. Which treatment you get depends on the severity of the problem. If you have early tooth decay, a fluoride treatment can help the enamel to repair itself. If you have a typical cavity, your dentist will remove the decayed tooth tissue and then restore the tooth by filling it with a filling material. If the damage to the tooth or an infection spreads to the pulp or inside of the tooth, you might need a root canal. Your dentist will remove the decayed pulp and clean inside the tooth and root. The next step is to fill the tooth with a temporary filling. Then you will need to come back to get a permanent filling or a crown, a cover on the tooth. In the most severe cases, when the damage to the pulp cannot be fixed, your dentist may pull the tooth. Your dentist will suggest that you get a bridge or implant to replace the missing tooth. Otherwise, the teeth next to the gap may move over and change your bite.

May 4, 2023 | There are a number of things you can do to prevent tooth decay. First, make sure that you get enough fluoride by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste, by drinking tap water with fluoride and using a fluoride mouth rinse. Then, practice good oral health by brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and regularly flossing your teeth. Make smart food choices by limiting foods and drinks that are high in sugars and starches. Eat nutritious, balanced meals and limit snacking. Do not use tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco. If you currently use tobacco, you should consider quitting. And see a dentist for regular check-ups and professional cleanings. Make sure that your children get sealants on their teeth. Dental sealants are thin plastic coatings that protect the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. Children should get sealants on their back teeth as soon as they come in, before decay can attack the teeth.