Tooth Decay
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Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the gradual process of degradation of the enamel which results in dental caries. The primary cause of tooth decay is poor oral hygiene, and poor diet. Diet plays a significant role in oral health. Increased intake of sugary foods causes an alteration in pH levels. Biofilm pathogens in a sugary environment produce an extremely acidic and toxic environment for teeth. This acid gradually wears away the enamel on the teeth. Tooth decay can progress rapidly if poor diet and poor oral hygiene habits continue. Tooth decay leads to dental cavities.
The presence of plaque is the first symptom in the development of dental disease. Plaque is a thin, transparent, sticky film of bacteria which covers the gums, tongue and teeth surfaces. Plaque accumulation will continue without proper brushing and flossing, and can eventually cement into “tartar.” Plaque can also form when the mouth has remained dry for a long period of time. A side effect of many medications causes mouth dryness.
The initial phases of tooth decay often remain undetected for a long period of time. If a cavity is not treated in time, the decay rampantly spreads to the dentin layer, and can affect neighboring teeth. Once a cavity spreads past the enamel, the patient may feel pain, and discomfort in the tooth. Regular dental checkups, twice a year, play a pivotal role in detecting dental diseases. A dentist performs a physical examination to detect any decay, and the use of radiographs and x-rays to collaborate the clinical examination. Treatment for tooth decay is determined is on a case-by-case basis and will be determined by the dentist.
Tooth decay affects adults and children alike. In young children, “baby-bottle tooth decay” is the most common form of oral disease. The sugars and proteins in the milk settle on the teeth, leading to increased acidic conditions and then decay. Numerous studies reveal that biofilm bacteria responsible for causing decay can be spread from mother to child. The bacteria can spread by sharing cups and other utensils between mother and child which ends up causing tooth decay.
References:
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002050/
2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/tooth-decay-topic-overview
3. http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/03/reversing-tooth-decay.html
Tooth decay is the gradual process of degradation of the enamel which results in dental caries. The primary cause of tooth decay is poor oral hygiene, and poor diet. Diet plays a significant role in oral health. Increased intake of sugary foods causes an alteration in pH levels. Biofilm pathogens in a sugary environment produce an extremely acidic and toxic environment for teeth. This acid gradually wears away the enamel on the teeth. Tooth decay can progress rapidly if poor diet and poor oral hygiene habits continue. Tooth decay leads to dental cavities.
The presence of plaque is the first symptom in the development of dental disease. Plaque is a thin, transparent, sticky film of bacteria which covers the gums, tongue and teeth surfaces. Plaque accumulation will continue without proper brushing and flossing, and can eventually cement into “tartar.” Plaque can also form when the mouth has remained dry for a long period of time. A side effect of many medications causes mouth dryness.
The initial phases of tooth decay often remain undetected for a long period of time. If a cavity is not treated in time, the decay rampantly spreads to the dentin layer, and can affect neighboring teeth. Once a cavity spreads past the enamel, the patient may feel pain, and discomfort in the tooth. Regular dental checkups, twice a year, play a pivotal role in detecting dental diseases. A dentist performs a physical examination to detect any decay, and the use of radiographs and x-rays to collaborate the clinical examination. Treatment for tooth decay is determined is on a case-by-case basis and will be determined by the dentist.
Tooth decay affects adults and children alike. In young children, “baby-bottle tooth decay” is the most common form of oral disease. The sugars and proteins in the milk settle on the teeth, leading to increased acidic conditions and then decay. Numerous studies reveal that biofilm bacteria responsible for causing decay can be spread from mother to child. The bacteria can spread by sharing cups and other utensils between mother and child which ends up causing tooth decay.
References:
1. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0002050/
2. http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/tc/tooth-decay-topic-overview
3. http://wholehealthsource.blogspot.com/2009/03/reversing-tooth-decay.html
