Stages of Tooth Decay and Their Treatment
The very first sign of decay is when a white spot appears on the tooth enamel. This condition is surface decay, which is still reversible at this stage with the help of toothpastes containing organic fluoride. These provide support for minerals to rebuild into the tooth enamel, thereby preventing further damage.
If we do not notice the above signs, we may move to the next phase, where the enamel layer is so damaged that the decay reaches the dentin. This is called dentin decay. In this case, the affected tooth already requires dental treatment, but a small filling may be enough to stop the unpleasant process. This condition can be indicated if your tooth is overly sensitive when consuming cold or hot foods and drinks.
If tooth decay already reaches the pulp chamber, the problem is much more serious. When the dental pulp becomes inflamed, the tooth in question can be very sensitive, even causing spontaneous pain without hot food or sweets. We must expect that this condition can only be remedied with a larger filling, and often even that is not enough. Inlay/onlay restorations may also be considered as a solution if the extent of the damage requires it. At the latest, a warning bell should send us to the dentist at this point, as the next step can be much more drastic!
When tooth decay reaches the dental pulp, we speak of periodontal inflammation. In this case, a simple tooth filling alone is completely out of the question. It may be accompanied by root canal treatment, or if the dentist deems it necessary, the tooth may need to be ground down to such an extent that only a crown or an overlay filling can be a good solution. If our tooth is beyond saving, then in the very last resort, tooth extraction is the only option, which can then only be forgotten by the placement of the appropriate dental prosthesis for us.
Tooth Decay Can Be Prevented!
The conditions described above can only take hold if we allow them to. With proper dental care and oral hygiene, these discomforts can be avoided. This includes learning proper brushing techniques, as well as regularly visiting for dental check-ups at least once a year, so that any potential problems are caught in time.
It is also an important factor how many times a day we take time to care for our teeth. If we don’t give bacteria time to start their harmful activities, tooth decay will not begin. For this, we need to brush our teeth at least twice – 30 minutes after breakfast and dinner – but it’s also a good idea to repeat the process around lunchtime. In addition to brushing, use dental floss and mouthwash to maintain healthy teeth!
