04/03/2013
Tackling tooth decay
Tooth decay, usually referred to as “cavi- ties,” starts in the enamel, the outer pro- tective layer of the tooth. In some people, especially older adults, the gums pull away from the tooth and expose the tooth root. Decay can occur here as well. The good news is that because of recent scientific advance- ments, tooth decay sometimes can be stopped.
HOW DOES TOOTH DECAY DEVELOP?
Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bac- teria called plaque. When you eat and drink, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that can cause the enamel or root surface to break down. Plaque collects around the gumline and on the chewing surfaces of your molars in the back of your mouth, putting these areas at higher risk of developing decay.
You might not notice any signs or symptoms of early decay, but more advanced tooth decay can have several symptoms:
dfood trapped frequently between teeth; ddiscomfort or pain in or around your mouth; ddifficulty biting down on certain foods; dsensitivity to hot, cold or even sweet foods; dbad breath;
dwhite, then later dark, spots on your teeth.
TREATMENT
Advanced tooth decay can be painful and can result in the loss of your tooth. Without treat- ment, bacteria can travel through the tooth and develop into an abscess—a severe infection— under the gums. This infection can spread to other parts of the body with serious, and in rare cases fatal, consequences.
Advances in science have made it possible for your dentist to teach you how to prevent and even repair tooth decay in the early stages. Called remineralization, this approach includes use of rinses, pastes, coatings or filling materi- als that contain fluoride, calcium or phosphates.
These substances are the building blocks of the tooth’s hard enamel, and exposure to them can help the tooth repair itself. Like any treatment, remineralization is not always successful. Pa- tients who have the most success follow their dentist’s recommendations closely regarding changes in home care.
For more advanced disease, your dentist may need to remove the decay and restore the tooth. If the affected area is small, he or she can place a filling in the tooth. When decay damages the tooth’s structure more extensively, your dentist may need to place a crown over the remaining tooth. In other severe cases, not enough healthy tooth is left, and the tooth must be removed.
PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY
Good dental hygiene is the first step in pre- venting tooth decay. Brush your teeth twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste and clean between your teeth once a day with floss or an interdental cleaner. Whenever possible, drink water that contains fluoride as a way to strengthen your enamel. Limit snacking and sipping on drinks high in sugar or acids. Con- sider having your dentist place sealants, a pro- tective coating, on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth. These will cover the pits and grooves there and help eliminate places for bacteria to collect.
More and more products are becoming avail- able to help treat and prevent tooth decay. Why wait for a cavity to develop? Visit your dentist reg- ularly for professional cleanings and a thorough examination, as well as to stay on top of these new techniques to improve your oral health. I
Prepared by the American Dental Association (ADA) Division of Science. Copyright © 2013 American Dental Association. Unlike other portions of JADA, the print version of this page may be clipped and photocopied as a handout for patients without reprint permis- sion from the ADA Publishing Division. Any other use, copying or distribution of this material, whether in printed or electronic form and including the copying and posting of this material on a Web site, is strictly prohibited without prior written consent of the ADA Pub- lishing Division.
“For the Dental Patient” provides general information on dental treatments to dental patients. It is designed to prompt discussion between dentist and patient about treatment options and does not substitute for the dentist’s professional assessment based on the individual patient’s needs and desires.
