What Are Some Of The Most Common Signs Of Tooth Decay?

Different patients experience different symptoms from tooth decay. However, patients usually have the following signs: brown spots, pain, sensitivity, changes in tooth color or texture, headache and swelling or redness around the tooth.

What Exactly Is Tooth Decay?

Your mouth is full of bacteria, which combine with small food particles and saliva to form plaque.

When you consume food and drink high in carbohydrates – particularly sugary foods and drinks – the bacteria in plaque turn the carbohydrates into energy they need, producing acid at the same time.

Regularly cleaning your teeth can remove plaque, but if it's allowed to build up, it can begin to break down the surface of your tooth.

The plaque will first start to soften the enamel (the hard outer coating of a tooth) by removing minerals from the tooth. Over time, a small hole known as a cavity can develop on the surface. This will cause toothache. 

What Happens To Tooth Decay If Left Untreated?

Without treatment, plaque and bacteria will enter the pulp (the soft centre of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels). At this stage, your nerves will be exposed to bacteria, making your tooth very painful. The bacteria can also infect tissue within the pulp, causing adental abscess. 

Increased risk

There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of tooth decay. These include:

Diet

Eating food and drink high in carbohydrates, particularly snacking regularly between meals, will increase your risk of tooth decay.

Tooth decay is often associated with sweet and sticky food and drink – such as chocolate, sweets, sugar and fizzy drinks – but starchy foods – such as crisps, white bread, pretzels and biscuits – also contain high levels of carbohydrates.

Some medications can also contain sugar, so it's best to use sugar-free alternatives whenever possible.

Poor oral hygiene

If you do not regularly brush your teeth and clean between them with floss or an interdental brush, you are at a higher risk of tooth decay. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.

Smoking and alcohol

People who smoke and drink alcohol regularly are at an increased risk of tooth decay.

This is because tobacco can interfere with production of saliva, which helps keep the surface of your teeth clean, and alcohol can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel.

What Happens To Tooth Decay If Left Untreated?

Tooth decay is a dangerous bacteria that can grow, move to surrounding teeth and cause damage that could ultimately cause you to loose additional teeth. Additionally, studies also demonstrate that patients with one or more lost teeth have an increased chance of losing more teeth in their lifetime.

If lost teeth are not replaced, patients can gradually begin to lose the strength and function in their bite. After this basic function decreases, muscles begins to atrophy and bone starts to deteriorate.

How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay?

Most patients can avoid tooth decay by adhering to the following practices:

1) brush and floss regularly

2) avoid sugary food and drinks

3) visit your dentist regularly to remove excess plaque and bacteria from teeth

4) use a good quality mouthwash

Can Dental Implants Prevent Tooth Decay?

The answer to this question is yes! Empty spaces in the mouth from missing teeth collect plaque, bacteria and food particles. These dangerous substances in the mouth then cause tooth decay and oral diseases. Filling holes with dental implants prevents these problems, resulting in less tooth decay.

Will My Dental Implants Be Impacted By Tooth Decay?

Fortunately for most patients, dental implants are resistant to tooth decay. Consequently, your new replacement tooth will never need a filling or a root canal!