Tooth decay, also known as cavities, is an extremely common condition that occurs when acids soften and remove your tooth enamel. As a result, a tooth develops a hole. Even though tooth decay affects many people, there are still a lot of misconceptions about this condition. This can lead to improper understanding of the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for tooth decay. In this article, we have gathered seven facts about cavities that everyone should know about.
1. Cavities are caused by bacteria
Many people think that cavities occur when people consume a lot of sweets. The truth is that sugar doesn't remove your tooth enamel but it promotes the development of tooth decay. This is because sugar feeds on the bacteria that produce acids. As mentioned above, bacteria and acids are the main cause of cavities.
2. Tooth decay can develop asymptomatically
There is a common misconception that tooth decay always causes toothache. But the truth is that only advanced tooth decay that has reached the inner layers of the tooth can manifest through the pain. This inner layer of the tooth is called the pulp. That's why it is extremely important to visit your dentist twice a year for a thorough examination and timely treatment of tooth decay.
3. Tooth decay can ruin the entire tooth
Many people think that there is no need to treat tooth decay, especially if it doesn't cause any severe symptoms. But you should understand that tooth decay can ruin the entire tooth. In this case you may need to extract the damaged tooth and replace it with a dental implant. To prevent such an unpleasant outcome, you should visit a dentist on a regular basis and contact a dental clinic if you experience a toothache.
4. Proper oral hygiene can help prevent cavities
It is important to understand that the bacteria in your oral cavity can multiply actively and produce acids only if you don't remove them in time. This means that proper oral hygiene can help prevent or at least decrease your risk of developing tooth decay. You need to brush your teeth twice a day in the morning before meals and in the evening after meals. Moreover, you shouldn't neglect using dental floss since that space between your teeth can accumulate food particles and bacteria that promote tooth decay.
5. Home remedies can't cure tooth decay
Many people believe that using various home remedies like cloves, garlic, and alcohol can help cure tooth decay. But the reality is that home remedies can help only ease a toothache. To treat tooth decay properly, you need to make an appointment with the dentist to remove the affected tissues of the tooth and fill the cavity with the help of a dental filling.
6. Cavities in baby teeth should also be treated
One of the most common myths about pediatric dentistry is that cavities in baby teeth can be left untreated. But you should understand that tooth decay that destroys baby teeth can also affect the developing permanent teeth. It can lead to much more severe consequences. That's why your child should visit a pediatric dentist for an examination and treatment as well.
7. Fluoride treatment can help prevent cavities
If you want to limit your risk of getting tooth decay, you can ask your dentist about a fluoride treatment. This is an in-office procedure during which a dentist applies high concentration fluoride to your teeth. This is because fluoride can help strengthen your tooth enamel, prevent the development of cavities, and even reverse the initial stage of tooth decay. You can also get fluoride through water, toothpaste, and mouthwash.
I am Amelia Grant, journalist, and blogger. I think that information is a great force that is able to change people’s lives for the better. That is why I feel a strong intention to share useful and important things about health self-care, wellness and other advice that may be helpful for people. Being an enthusiast of a healthy lifestyle that keeps improving my life, I wish the same for everyone.
Our attention to ourselves, to our daily routine and habits, is very important. Things that may seem insignificant, are pieces of a big puzzle called life. I want to encourage people to be more attentive to their well-being, improve every little item of it and become healthier, happier, stronger. All of us deserve that. And I really hope that my work helps to make the world better.