Tooth Decay Treatment

Like any other part of the body, our teeth are also susceptible to a number of problems. One of the most common among them is tooth decay. The food that we eat and the bacteria that we harbor in our mouth are the main causes of tooth decay. Ruling out either of them to prevent tooth decay is not possible. Hence, maintaining a good oral hygiene is very important. What makes dental care so important is the fact that tooth decay is a slow process. It starts with small caries in teeth and may take years before large cavities that expose the nerves and cause pain, are formed. It can be detected early or at a later stage. Depending upon the degree of damage, there are a number of treatment options that a dentist may opt for. But before we discuss them, let us understand what are the tooth decay causes and symptoms.

Symptoms

For those who do not go for regular dental check ups, a tooth decay may be detected only after one feels a toothache. However, the common symptoms that one should watch out are:

• Bad breath
• Foul taste in mouth
• Toothache (due to infection or irritation of the tooth pulp)
• Pain while chewing food, brushing teeth, eating hot or cold food or drinks or breathing in cold air
• Holes or pits (cavities) in teeth

In case of severe decay, pus filled sacs may be formed at the base of the teeth in the bone that is accompanied with swollen glands and jaws, fever and acute pain.

Causes

As already said, food that we eat and bacteria are the culprit behind this tooth condition. Foods rich in carbohydrates have high content of starch that tend to stay back on teeth especially between teeth and in cavities (if already present). This provides food for bacteria that grow in these cavities. Improper cleaning of teeth after meals may also leave bits of food in between teeth. Bacteria thrive in these food bits and form plaques. The acids released by the hordes of bacteria in plaques attack the outermost layer of teeth, the enamel. As the enamel is destroyed, the bacteria reach deeper layers of teeth causing greater damage. Association of sugar rich food and tooth decay is the main reason that the problem in children is so common nowadays.

Treatment Options

When you visit your dentist because of any of the symptoms of decaying, he will perform a dental check up to see if it's a case of tooth decay. In case it is, he would also ascertain the severity of the damage as that is the deciding factor of the type of treatment for tooth decay that needs to be followed. The various treatment options available are:

Fluoride Treatment: Toothpastes and mouth rinses already have some amount of fluoride in them as this mineral is important for dental health. Fluoride prevents cavities and helps teeth to repair themselves. In case the tooth decay is in the initial stages, fluoride treatment is what dentists resort to. Professional fluoride treatment involve the dentist applying a liquid, gel or foam to the affected tooth. These stuff have higher concentration of fluoride than those in normal toothpastes or mouth washes. Alternatively, a paste rich in fluoride may be prepared in a tray that is then fitted over the teeth and left on for sometime. These fluoride treatments need to be repeated a couple of times as instructed by one's dentist.

Fillings: If the decay has penetrated deeper than the enamel, one has to go for tooth filling. In the cavity filling procedure, the decayed portion of the teeth is removed and filled with a filling material that restores the shape of the teeth. The filling could be composite resins (that are of the same color as the teeth), silver amalgam, gold or ceramics. Silver amalgam is a mixture of other metals like mercury and tin. Although medical research (though somewhat controversial) has shown that silver amalgam is a safe option for tooth filling, some people fear the harmful effects of mercury being incorporated in the body. Nevertheless, silver amalgam is the easiest material for a dentist to use. It is also the fastest and the least expensive option for tooth filling. On the other hand, gold and ceramics are expensive choice for tooth fillings.

Crowns: In case of extensive decay, doing multiple fillings will weaken the tooth. In such case, crowns are used. The decayed area of the tooth is removed, treated and a crown or covering jacket is put over the remaining teeth. The crowns are usually made of gold or porcelain.

Root Canal Treatment: In case of severe decay in which even the nerves get affected, root canal treatment is required. In this form of treatment, the pulp is removed along with the decayed parts of the tooth. This area is then filled with a sealing material to prevent exposure of the inner parts to harmful bacteria. Root canal treatment is also known as orthodontic procedure.

Tooth Extraction: In case most of the tooth has been damaged, a dentist may have to extract the tooth altogether. It is advisable to go for a dental implant to fill the empty place left by the extracted tooth as other teeth may move in to fill the space provided by the tooth that has been removed. Tooth extraction procedure is done with the use of a local anesthesia after which the infected tooth is removed by a trained dentist. Though a simple procedure, there are a few tooth extraction complications like tooth extraction infection that one must be aware of.

Prevention

Here are some simple ways to prevent tooth decay:

• Brush at least twice daily.
• If it's not possible to brush after every meal, at least rinse your mouth every time after you eat something.
• Avoid eating snacks frequently.
• Eat food like cheese, fruits and vegetables that are naturally good for your teeth.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• Drink water that has fluoride added to it, like tap water.
• Visit the dentist regularly.

Studies into dental health today has opened many option for tooth decay treatment. However, it is better to follow all tenets of proper dental care so that we can prevent our tooth from decaying.