How To Recognize Tooth Decay At An Early Stage
Tooth decay is the most common problem of the mouth. Almost every one of us has suffered at least one decayed tooth throughout our lives, and so we all know what a burden it is. However, as dentists, we try to stress the importance of that visit. Most studies and recommendations from health care foundations around the world recommend visiting your dentist at least once a year, with once every 6 months being the perfect rate. But until you’re able to go, we offer you some pieces of advice on how to detect changes in your teeth and mouth, and how to recognize tooth decay at an early stage.
How is decay formed?
Tooth decay is a trifecta of bacteria, food remnants, and time. When the food remnants are left on the surface of the teeth for a while – in other words, if you skip brushing or flossing even for a day –, the bacteria inside the mouth start to feed on these remnants. They start producing acids and toxins that can dissolve the minerals in the teeth, and the decay process starts.
How to recognize tooth decay at an early stage?
Although that is mostly the job of your dentist, there are a few signs and symptoms that should alert you, and therefore make you hasten your plans to visit the dentist. These include:
- Black marks on the teeth: Black marks don’t always mean decay, but they are a sure-proof sign that you should schedule a dental visit as soon as possible.
- Mild/moderate pain: Pain is of course an indicator of a problem. However, most people think they can tough it out, and endure some pain as opposed to the pain of going to the dentist. Pain from decay is usually mild or moderate and is usually associated with eating sweets and sugars.
- Holes or cavities in your teeth: Teeth anatomy is different for every person, most of the imperfections that you can see or feel by yourself might not always mean you found a cavity, but if you are concerned about a particular irregularty in your tooth anatomy you should check it with your dentist.
What to do to avoid decay?
You’re probably sick of hearing this by now, but we cannot stress strongly enough the importance of a strict oral hygiene regimen. With such a regimen, you are doing all you can to make sure that tooth decay stays as far away from your teeth for as long as possible.
Here is how you should do it:
- Brush your teeth twice daily, once before bedtime.
- Use Fluoridated toothpaste, but don’t overdo it with the amount. About a pea-sized amount is enough.
- Floss, floss, floss. Often neglected but never forgotten, only flossing can clean the shielded and difficult-to-clean areas between the teeth.
- Use Fluoridated mouthwash. With the guidance of your dentist\hygienist, you should use a mouthwash with a suitable concentration of Fluoride to help rinse the food remnants off your teeth, and add protective layers to the surface of the teeth.
- Keep up with your follow-up appointments. As we said, once a year is good, twice a year is great. Your dentist’s help is invaluable not only to treat problems but with the early scanning and detection of these problems.
We were blessed with 2 full sets of beautiful, perfect teeth. We won’t get a Third .. so cherish them.