What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is the result of the acids formed by the bacteria present in the plaques on one’s teeth and the ways that they interact with foods and sugars that linger in your mouth after eating. The more plaque that builds up in your mouth, the more bacteria that is available to work with sugars to cause destructive lactic acids, which slowly eat away at the enamel of your teeth before finally creating pockets of decay that can tear through the dentin, pulp, and even the root tips of your teeth.
What are the symptoms of tooth decay?
The early stages of tooth decay can pass unperceived, as they may not result in the kind of pain that we often associate with a toothache. It is often only as tooth decay progresses through the enamel and into the dentin of the tooth that pain is felt. Some of the symptoms that you may notice as tooth decay takes hold in one or more teeth are listed here:
- Tooth sensitivity: Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods or beverages may be a sign of tooth decay, and a piece of information you should share with your dentist so that she or he can check carefully for any signs of demineralization or developing caries.
- Toothache: Another warning sign of developing and progressing tooth decay is toothache. The pain associated with a toothache due to decay may be persistent or occasional; either of these forms of tooth pain should be reported to your dentist for careful analysis.
- Spots on your teeth: Spots of various colors can appear on your teeth as a result and sign of tooth decay and should be noted and reported as they contain important information in terms of assessing how far tooth decay has proceeded. In the earliest stages of tooth decay, you might notice chalky white spots on affected teeth, which is a sign of demineralization (essentially, the beginnings of the process whereby the acid created by plaque in conjunction with sugar begins to strip the tooth of calcium, creating an entryway for bacteria to break through the breaks in the enamel and progress through the tooth). As tooth decay progresses, left untreated, you might notice spots of darker colors, like grey, brown, or even black. These spots often indicate that the demineralization of the affected tooth has in effect led to further decay inside of the tooth. This is what is referred to as a cavity; a small hole in the tooth much like that inside of a cave. That is filled with bacteria eating away at the dentin of the tooth. If you notice spots of any color on your teeth, you should contact your dentist right away to prevent further progression of tooth decay, as late stage tooth decay can result in painful abscesses and even tooth loss and extraction.
- Foul taste or odor: Various stages of tooth decay can result in foul odors or tastes in your mouth. If you begin to develop bad breath or a nasty taste in your mouth, it might be time to call your dentist for a check-up.
While tooth decay is common, it doesn’t have to be. Keep up good brushing and flossing habits, avoid sugar as much as possible, and maintain a regular schedule of dentist’s visits. This kind of preventative care will pay off in the long run, and your teeth will be happier and healthier for it!