Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a dental disease caused by bacteria, and leads to the damage of the tooth enamel, also known as dental caries. Overtime the tissue in the tooth enamel is broken down by tooth decay bacteria, causing holes or cavities in teeth without proper dental health intervention. At DentistsCompare.com we give you the information you need to be able to fight back against tooth decay. You will be able to not only get the contact information, but also see user reviews of dentists in your local area through DentistsCompare.com so you can get the dental health care you need to be able to avoid getting your teeth damaged by tooth decay.

A tooth’s exposure to food or beverages containing carbohydrates, such as sugars and starches is the main cause tooth decay. Common food and beverages that are high in sugars and starches that can result to tooth decay are: sweets, cake, fruits, soft drinks and other sugared drinks. The sugars and starches found in these food and beverages can interact with bacteria in your mouth, and can lead to tooth decay and cavities. There are a few symptoms of tooth decay: white, brown, gray or black spots on the surface of the tooth, bad breath, toothache caused by the bacterial infection, teeth that get too sensitive to pressure, or are slowly loosening, teeth fillings that suddenly loosen, and bleeding gums. Depending on the severity of the tooth decay, the treatment methods will be as follows:

• If caught in the early stages, tooth decay can be prevented from further worsening by brushing with fluoride fortified toothpaste, plus your dentist can also suggest fluoride treatments to prevent cavities from being formed.
• If, however, a cavity has already formed due to tooth decay, you may need to have a fillings. Your dentist will remove the part of the tooth that has decayed, and then use the fillings to fill the gap, and prevent further tooth decay.
• Crown will be used if the tooth decay is severe and has led to a badly-damaged tooth. The crown will serve as the replacement for the part that has been severely damaged by tooth decay.
• If the pulp of the tooth has been damaged by tooth decay, and needs to be removed, then a root canal is needed.
•  In severe cases of tooth decay, when the root of the tooth has been completely damaged, a tooth extraction will be done. The lost tooth will then be replaced with a bridge, dentures, or Dental implants.

With a healthy diet, good oral hygiene, and regular visits to the dentist, tooth decay can be prevented. Tooth decay doesn’t need to be a part of your life, so make sure that you do your part at the soonest possible time – and stick to that routine!

Need Information about Tooth Decay? Search, Compare & Find Local Denplan, NHS & Private Dentists in your area with DentistsCompare.com