All About Tooth Decay
In
order for tooth decay to be developed in a tooth, that tooth must have acid
producing bacteria around it, along with food for the bacteria to feed
upon. Teeth that are susceptible to
decay will have little to no fluoride in the enamel to fight the plaque. Fluoride can destroy decay, although it won’t
be able to do much once the decay has started to eat the teeth.
Poor
hygiene habits will allow the plaque and tartar to build up around teeth and
speed up the process of decay. Even
though your mouth has a lot of bacteria that is always present, only one type
will generate the acid that results in tooth decay. Some people have active decay that is always
present in their mouths. Parents with
active decay can easily pass the decay on to a child or loved one through
eating, drinking from the same glass, or even kissing.
Once
the decay has settled in the tooth’s enamel, it will progress very slow. Once it has made it through to the second
layer of the enamel, it will spread faster as it heads towards the pulp. The pulp is a vital area of the tooth, as it
contains the nerves and blood supply.
This is where the pain will be the most intense, as the decay will start
to eat at the nerves.
Although
decay can take 2 - 3 years to get through the enamel, it can make it from the
dentin to the pulp in less than a year.
Once it makes it to the dentin, the decay can destroy most of the tooth
structure in a matter of weeks - or months.
The most preventable type of tooth decay, known as smooth decay, also
grows the slowest. It starts out as a
white spot in the tooth, where the bacteria dissolves the enamel. Smooth decay is very common with those 20 -
30 years of age.
Pit
or fissure decay is a bit more serious, forming along the narrow grooves in the
chewing side of the molars. It
progresses more rapidly, and can eat your teeth a lot faster than smooth
decay. Due to the grooves being so
narrow, it can be hard to clean them with regular bushing. Even though you may brush on a regular basis,
this type of decay is hard to prevent without going to the dentist for your
regular checkups and cleaning.
The
last type of decay, known as root decay, begins on the surface of the
root. Root decay is common with middle
aged individuals. It is normally the
result of dry mouth, a lot of sugar, or not taking care of your teeth. Root decay is the most difficult to prevent,
and the most serious type of tooth decay.
It can eat teeth fast, leaving you no choice but to get the affected
teeth removed.
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