Tooth decay is also known as Dental Caries.
It is the dissolving of the tooth surface in a slow process.
Our teeth are covered with PLAQUE. Plaque is a thin layer of bacteria, its products and food debris. When we eat and drink sugary products, the bacteria in the plaque convert the sugar into harmful acid and other by-products.
The longer the plaque stays on our teeth and the more frquwnt the sugary products are that we consume, the quicker the decay progresses.
Tooth decay is usually first found in the deep fissures (the deepest part of the chewing surface on the tooth) and between the teeth.
It is easy for plaque to build up there and it is more difficult to clean it with the toothbrush.
Symptoms:
Symptoms vary from person to person. Some people start feeling sensitivity as soon as the decay has broken the first and the hardest layer of the tooth, the enamel. Others will not feel anything even if the second and the thickest layer of the tooth, the dentine is damaged and the pulp with all the nerves and the blood vessels is infected.
How do I know that I have tooth decay?
The best way of knowing is to be examined by your dentist. The dentist takes radiographs (X-rays) of your teeth and he or she will be able to tell whether you have an established decay or early decay.
Prevention:
- Good oral hygiene, regular visits to your dentist and controlled sugar intake prevents decay from developing
- Fluoride based toothpastes and mouthwashes are recommended.
- Flossing or cleaning between the teeth is also important.
Treatment
The most common treatment for tooth decay is fillings. Under local anaesthetic the dentist or the therapist removes the decay and fills the cavity (hole) that arises after the cleaning with a choice of different materials. White composite (tooth coloured fillings) are now available. Amalgam (the silver filling) was predominantly used before the tooth coloured fillings were developed.
Your dentist may advise to repair the damage caused by the decay with an porcelain onlay (CEREC) or a crown.
Cerec treatment can be completed in one visit.
Depending on the size of the damage and the location on the tooth, a filling is not always suitable.
