Cavities and Dental Health
A cavity is a defect in your tooth formed due to loss of integrity of the protective
enamel by acid producing bacteria in the presence of carbohydrates. Without being
treated these defects become larger in size and can even destroy your tooth!
Stages of Tooth Decay/ Cavity formation:
● Stage 1: A white or brown spot on the tooth’s surface may be an early sign of
decay.
● Stage 2: The decay has gone through the tooth’s hard enamel surface layer.
Your food starts getting stuck on or between your teeth, resulting in bad odour
from the mouth.
● Stage 3: Now that the cavity has gone through the enamel to the softer layer of
dentin, it will probably start to cause some sensitivity on eating or drinking cold
foods. It will now start destroying the tooth structure more quickly as the layers of
tooth beneath the enamel are not as hard and resistant to decay.
● Stage 4: The cavity now progresses towards the pulp(vital tissue) of the tooth
and can cause the infection to spread deeper if untreated. You will associate with
symptoms like a spontaneous toothache and sensitivity. If left untreated it can
even lead to abscess formation and eventually loss of the tooth.
Prevention:
● Brushing your teeth twice a day using fluoridated toothpaste and flossing daily
will reduce the number of bacteria and dental plaque in your mouth.
● Replacing your toothbrush every 3 months or as soon as the bristles start fraying
will help to remove maximum plaque.
● Consuming less amount of sugary and starchy food during the day will reduce
the amount of tooth-damaging acids in your mouth.
● Chewing sugar-free gum that contains xylitol will help in decreasing bacterial
growth.
● Eating nutritious and well-balanced meals and limiting the intake of sugar-laden
junk food will definitely go a long way in preventing cavities.
● Visiting your dentist for regular six-monthly check-ups, routine scaling and
polishing and fluoride treatments.
Come visit The Dental Spa for your routine oral examination and maintain your pearly whites!
