Tooth decay is a condition that affects oral health in both children and adults. Cavities may be small at first but can eventually grow larger and if left untreated, it will cause many effects. So what should you do when you have tooth decay? Let’s find out and answer with My Auris through the following article.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is the process by which Streptococcus mutans bacteria affects plaque on the surface of teeth. When we consume a lot of foods containing sugar, bacteria will continue to attack and produce acids that damage tooth enamel and weaken the tooth structure.
The enamel layer that protects teeth will be quickly destroyed by bacteria, causing the bacteria to attack deep inside the tooth as well as spread to neighboring teeth. Initially, the cavities are small, gradually forming larger, black holes and completely destroying the structure of the tooth.
Causes of tooth decay
Tooth decay is caused mainly by eating habits and improper oral care and hygiene. Regularly eating a lot of foods containing a lot of sugar and starch with high adhesion without careful cleaning will cause more and more plaque to accumulate. This is a favorable environment for bacteria to attack and develop, demineralizing teeth, leading to damage.
In addition, not having regular dental check-ups to check oral health is also one of the causes of increased tooth decay.
Signs of tooth decay
Tooth decay in the early stages, mild levels will be easier to treat than severe levels. Because in the advanced stages, it is difficult to preserve real teeth. Therefore, early recognition of signs of tooth decay is extremely necessary to protect oral health.
Here are some typical signs of tooth decay to help people recognize tooth decay early:
- Tooth enamel is weak and easily cracked.
- Small, tiny cavities appear on the tooth surface. When tooth decay is severe, large black holes appear on the teeth. more.
- There is pain when chewing or biting food.
- Tooth pain sweet.
- The gums around the tooth root are swollen, red, and ulcerated, causing the tooth root to be exposed.
- Gum recession, bone loss over time leading to tooth loss loose.
- When tooth decay has penetrated deep into the pulp, tooth enamel color changes from yellow, brown to black.
- Teeth pain is dull and frequent. increases and becomes intense, pain often appears in the tooth root area.
What should you do if you have tooth decay?
So what should you do after discovering a cavity? After discovering a cavity or tooth problem, you should immediately go to the dentist to be examined by a doctor, and given appropriate treatment. Or in cases where you don’t have time to go to the dentist, you can apply some toothache relief methods at home to feel more comfortable.
Thorough tooth decay treatment at the dentist – What should you do if you have tooth decay? In mild cases of tooth decay, dental fillings and porcelain crowns can be performed to preserve the real teeth. In severe cases, teeth may have to be removed to avoid infection and affect the remaining teeth on the jaw.
Tooth fillings are a common method of treating tooth decay. This method is often applied to mild tooth decay, the cavity is not too large. Depending on the tooth condition and customer’s needs, the doctor performs dental fillings with different materials such as composite fillings, dental fillings Amalgam, Inlay/Onlay fillings with ceramic material, gold fillings…
Teeth fillings are performed. Fast, simple, less painful and does not require deep structural interventioncuddling teeth as well as preventing harmful bacteria from continuing to attack real teeth. However, with large cavities, dental fillings are not the solution. At the same time, after time, the filling will peel off and not be durable.
Ceramic crowns
In case of severe tooth decay, root canal treatment is needed but the tooth root is still strong, the doctor The doctor advised to cover it with porcelain. This option also helps preserve real teeth but will require grinding teeth to install porcelain crowns.
Ceramic crowns are a method of treating tooth decay that are more recommended than fillings because they offer more advantages. Porcelain crowns are also quick and simple to perform, and the porcelain crown is like a coat that protects the inside of the real tooth from harmful agents including food, plaque and bacteria.
In addition, porcelain crowns are also durable and last longer than dental fillings. Furthermore, the aesthetics of porcelain crowns are also much higher than dental fillings, especially choosing all-ceramic teeth.
Tooth extraction and replantation
Too severe tooth decay and infection may require extraction. Removing teeth to protect the remaining teeth in the jaw. After tooth extraction, the doctor will advise on the appropriate tooth implant method.
Currently there are 3 methods of tooth implantation: removable dentures, porcelain bridges and implants. In particular, implants are the most optimal solution for dentures because they completely restore the entire structure of the tooth from the root to the crown. This also helps dental implants bring more benefits than the other two dental implant methods, especially preventing jaw bone loss due to tooth loss.
