Hi, I'm Dr. Samuel here at Montpelier Family Dentistry. We get a lot of questions about tooth decay, so I'm here to answer the most commonly asked questions about tooth decay to help you get a better understanding about tooth decay.
What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay, and I have my model here, is represented by the black here. The outer layer of your tooth is white, and the inner layer is yellow. When there is bacteria present in your mouth that breaks down that outer layer, it starts to break down and go deeper. This is the definition, and this is what tooth decay looks like.
What causes dental decay?
Dental decay is kind of like a chemical breakdown, but to simplify it, it is when the pH in your mouth changes, meaning the chemistry in your mouth changes, and so your tooth becomes more susceptible to breaking down. When you eat and drink certain things, things like sugar and acid, these things can break down faster. These things will break down the outer layer, and the cavity will grow and grow. Once it gets into the inner layer, then it's defined as tooth decay and needs to be fixed.
What are the signs of tooth decay?
Early on, it could be maybe some sensitivity to temperature. When you brush or floss, certain areas might be a little sensitive. As tooth decay progresses and gets larger, you might have pain that just comes randomly, maybe wakes you up at night, maybe sensitive even more so to cold and hot.
What are the effects of tooth decay?
The main one is sensitivity. Pain can affect your ability to enjoy the foods that you enjoy, maybe something hot or cold or sweet or sticky. All these things will cause discomfort and sensitivity. As tooth decay grows and continues, if it gets closer and closer to your nerve, you could have pain that just affects your ability to function every day.
Can tooth decay lead to other complications?
Yes, it can. Tooth decay can cause you to have tooth pain. You may not be able to do the things you like, enjoy the foods you like. Tooth decay that grows and grows, and maybe it just goes untreated. If your tooth breaks, you could end up losing your tooth.
Can tooth decay return to normal?
So once you have a cavity, it's going to be there. I will show you a demo. When the decay is in this outer layer, the white part here, with things like fluoride, flossing, good home care, it may not continue to grow and extend into the yellow, but it's not going to go away. It'll still be there; you can still see it in x-rays, still see it, but it may just not grow. So it won't go away, but it can just kind of arrest or stay still.
At what point is tooth decay irreversible?
Again, I'll pull out my models here. So the tooth decay is in the outer layer here, in the white. Once it hits the yellow, which is the inner layer, the second layer of your tooth, that's when it's just not going to go away or stay still or arrest. It's going to keep growing and growing and growing until it gets to the red here, which is the nerve, and we don't want that. We want to fix it and take care of it with the least amount of post-operative complications when it's in this right hitting this yellow part.
What are some treatments for tooth decay?
Again, I'll pull out my model. So when we have this tooth decay in the outer layer, right there up against the yellow, that would just constitute or need a filling, and you're good to go. When the decay looks deeper and bigger, like it's going into the red here, that means that it's hit the nerve, and the decay has infected your tooth, now your nerve, and now the nerve needs to be cleaned out. That's a more invasive or more involved procedure, and then the tooth would need to be built back up and have a crown on it. So there are three steps if it gets to that point.
How do I stop tooth decay from spreading?
Good home care, good diet practices. Not to say that you have to go on a diet, but just being mindful of what you eat, not snacking slowly throughout the day, having your meal, not sipping on sweet things or sugary things all day long. Have it one time and be done with it. Flossing is very important; that really cleans between where the teeth touch to make sure that those surfaces are cleaned well. Fluoride rinses at home. Dentists may recommend a special fluoride toothpaste that you can use before bed. All these things can help.
Is tooth decay painful?
When it gets to a certain point, yes, it can get to that feeling of pain.
When should I see a dentist about treating tooth decay?
If you have any feeling that you may have sensitivity or something just doesn't feel right in your mouth, just go to your dentist and have x-rays taken so you can know ahead of time. You don't want to wait or just ignore a problem, and then it's just going to get worse and more costly on your part. We want to help you maintain what you have and catch it early so it's easy for both of us.
I hope I've been able to answer questions about tooth decay. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to call our office for an appointment. Our number here is (301) 812-4599 or visit our website at www.thelaureldentist.com.