About this topic
Tooth decay is very common. Everyone has germs in the mouth. After you eat, you have food pieces left on your teeth. The germs combine with the food and make acid. The acid can eat away at the protective enamel of the tooth and cause tooth decay. You can have decay on the tooth surface or deep into the tooth. Because it takes time for the acid to break through the enamel, you may not notice any signs. If you do, it is because your tooth is starting to decay. ‚
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What are the causes?
Foods and drinks like soda, raisins, cake, and candy all have sugars and starch in them. These combine with germs to make plaque. Plaque is a film-like coating on the teeth. If it stays on your teeth, it will destroy the outside protective enamel layer of the tooth. Over time, this can lead to tooth decay. ‚
What can make this more likely to happen?
- Eating sweet or sticky foods
- Not brushing your teeth often enough
- Smoking
- Some drugs that cause a dry mouth
- Eating disorder
What are the main signs?
- Toothache
- Tooth pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold, or sweet
- Gray, black, or brown color spots on the teeth
- Bad breath or bad taste in your mouth
- A hole in a tooth
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
Your dentist will look at your teeth. There will also be a physical check with slight poking and tapping on the teeth. You may need to have x-rays of your teeth to look for decay that is not visible to the eye. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
- Your dentist may apply a coating of fluoride to the tooth. This works best if the decay is in the earliest stage.
- Your dentist may remove the decay. Your tooth will need a filling if the decay has eaten away the surface enamel.
- Your dentist may do a root canal. This is needed when the nerve inside the tooth is infected.
- You may need to have the tooth pulled. This is needed if there is so much decay the tooth cant be saved.
What lifestyle changes are needed?
- Eat healthy snacks. Some examples are cheese, fruit, and vegetables.
- Brush after every meal and floss at least once a day.
- If you cant get to a toothbrush, chew sugar-free gum.
- Avoid drinks with sugar in them.
- Eating wheat or brown bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, leafy green vegetables, and eggs are less likely to cause decay but still need to be brushed and flossed away.
What drugs may be needed?
The dentist may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
What problems could happen?
If the tooth decay is not fixed you could have: ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Brush your teeth after every meal but at least 2 times a day. Do not rush when you brush. Spend 2 full minutes cleaning all of your teeth. Use a toothpaste with fluoride.
- Use dental floss to clean between your teeth at least every day.
- Try to stay away from foods and drinks that are high in sugar and starch, such as chocolate, sweets, cakes, and drinks that have sugar.
- See your dentist for regular cleaning and checkups.
Where can I learn more?
American Dental Association ‚
http://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/d/decay.aspx ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Dental-decay/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚