Tooth decay is typically the severe damage of a tooth’s surface or enamel. It occurs when the bacteria inside the mouth generates acid and then attacks the enamel.
Dental caries (cavities) are the most common problem that arises due to the decaying of the tooth. It can create holes inside the teeth. Certain infections, pain severity, and tooth loss are major problems arising due to tooth decay.
However, the cavity treatment and its severity generally depend upon the dental disease’s condition and situation. If a person is suffering at the early stage, then fluoride treatment is suggested to restore the tooth enamel. Nevertheless, it can even reverse the cavity at the early stages.
There are five teeth decay stages, namely;
1. Initial demineralization:
In this stage, the hardest tissue of teeth, known as enamel (mainly comprised of minerals), comes in contact with plaque and bacteria inside the mouth. It then begins to lose its minerals due to the presence of white spots occurring on the teeth’ surface.
2. Enamel Decay:
The enamel will continue to break, and white spots generate in this stage.
Furthermore, dental caries will be formed in the patient’s teeth, and he would be required to see a dentist.
3. Dentin Decay:
This stage is known as dentin decay. Dentin is a soft tissue present under the enamel that fastens the decaying process on exposure to the bacterial acid.
Sensitivity arises because of this dentin exposure.
4. Pulp damage:
The pulp is the innermost layer of the tooth. It contains the tooth nerves and the blood vessels.
The tooth decay process is worsened where the pulp gets irritated and starts to swell. The tissues near the affected pulp expand. Hence, it increases the swelling and leads to pressure on the nerves, which further causes intense pain.
5.Abscess
When tooth decay increases in the pulp, the bacteria create a puss at the tooth’s surface called an abscess. Swelling of gums, fever, jaw, and swollen lymph nodes in the neck is the factor of the abscess.
The common question arises that how to deal with tooth decay?
Once the bacteria reach the second tooth decay stage called dentin decay, the effect becomes irreversible. That’s why it is recommended to visit your dentist once a month so that one could avoid the hectic drill.
Cavities don’t go away on their own but continue to grow in size such that one cavity can lead to the other
The formation of dental caries can be minimized or reduced by a process known as remineralization.
Fluoride can remineralize teeth in two ways; internally and externally. When talking about the internal procedure, swallowing fluoride can help to strengthen the teeth and make them look healthier on the outer basis.
To reverse tooth decay externally, one should apply fluoride directly on the surface of teeth in the form of fluoride toothpaste or a mouth wash in order to boost the healthy look of teeth. One can receive fluoride treatment from the dentist to keep the exterior of teeth healthy, and in this way, fluoride helps to speed remineralization.