Are you at a personal risk of tooth decay?
Humans are susceptible to all sorts of health problems. And they always will be. Among the most common health issues that people are prone to, tooth decay is certainly one of the most prevalent. And while treating and curing all sorts of tooth decay has been successfully conducted for many years, there is continuous progress begin made in this regard.
Essentially, because tooth decay is a rather individualized oral health issue, the treatment is following suit. This means that the strategy for preventing all sorts of dental diseases -in addition to decay – is to take a personalized approach to treat each patient based upon his or her unique circumstances.
This begins with a risk assessment. But first, you must understand what is meant by tooth decay.
The process and cycle of tooth decay
Your teeth are covered with enamel. Enamel is a structure composed of mineralized crystalline; it is made of calcium minerals and phosphate. Decay is the result of when bacteria causes acid to have a dissolving effect on your enamel. Basically, bacteria get attached to plaque which is a mix of particles of leftover food and your saliva. This causes the enamel to dissolve which exposes the roots of your teeth.
When this occurs, you will feel pain on your teeth, or you will get a toothache. Eventually, if neglected, your roots will dissolve, decay sets in and then you will lose your tooth.
How do you know if you have tooth decay?
There are indicators that review whether or not you are experiencing tooth decay. These indicators are among the following:
A cavity; also described as a hole in a tooth
Lesions on your teeth; the lesions are white spots that typically show up in the center or on the edge of a tooth.
Hidden cavities that are only detected through laser or x-rays. This is yet another reason why it is important to have a complete oral exam at least once a year.
Determining your risk of tooth decay
Each person has his or her own susceptibility to tooth decay. This is what was referred to earlier by taking a personalized approach. There are factors that affect how vulnerable you are to tooth decay. Among them are:
The food and beverages you consume – Sugar and refined carbohydrates aid in producing the acid in bacteria that cause tooth decay. Soda pop is a main culprit. Substandard dental hygiene habits – If you do not brush and clean your teeth with quality toothpaste and mouthwash regularly, you will be at risk of plaque building up.
Dry mouth and Prescription medicine – Saiva in your mouth is a good thing as it neutralizes the acidic bacteria. If the acidity increases, tooth decay is feasible. It is important to note that certain types of medications can cause dry mouth. Once again, this acidity can prompt tooth decay.
Anorexia, bulimia, and gastroesophageal reflux disease – these conditions cause regular vomiting which accelerates the potential for developing tooth decay.
For more information regarding anything related to your oral health, give Dr. Apsey of Smile Brightly Dental a call today! We are located in Warren, MI and we can be reached at 586-573-7700!