Early warning signs of tooth decay and what can you do to prevent it

According to a report by the Imperial College London, chronic diseases are killing ‘almost 41 million people a year worldwide, making up seven out of ten deaths globally.’ That’s an astonishingly high number, isn’t it? And what’s even more astonishing is that the overwhelming majority of the most common chronic illnesses are associated with lifestyle habits and not genetics, as most of us would have liked to believe and blame. This means that chronic diseases are largely preventable and can be avoided by simple lifestyle changes.

One such lifestyle change is maintaining good dental hygiene, which is crucial in preventing chronic diseases, including tooth decay.

Today, we are going to talk about a chronic disease that has to do with your teeth, namely, dental caries or tooth decay. Did you know that tooth decay happens to be the most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults around the globe? According to a report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 2 billion people suffer from caries of permanent teeth, and 514 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth worldwide. In the UK, around 80% of adults have at least one decayed tooth, and more than 20% of children show signs of tooth decay.

So, what does that mean for us? If tooth decay is preventable, what steps can we take to prevent it? How can we protect our teeth and gums from disease? In this article, you are about to find out. Continue reading to learn how you can spot the warning signs of tooth decay and stop it in its tracks before it becomes a problem. We will also look at prevention and treatment strategies for reversing early tooth decay and helping you maintain good oral health.

What is Tooth Decay

Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in your mouth produce acids that start to eat away or ‘erode’ the tooth enamel. The process starts when the sugar from your food and acidic foods mix with the bacteria in the mouth to produce acid. These acids attack the teeth, causing them to lose minerals and become weak.

If left untreated, tooth decay can progress from the early stages to more advanced stages, then to pain, dental abscesses, and, in severe cases, even tooth loss.

How quickly tooth decay progresses depends on many factors, including diet, oral hygiene, and how much fluoride your teeth are exposed to.

Warning Signs of Tooth Decay

Spotting the early warning signs of tooth decay is key to taking timely action and maintaining good dental health. Here is a list of some of the most common and sure shot early symptoms:

Tooth Sensitivity

One of the first signs of early tooth decay is tooth sensitivity caused by enamel erosion. This is when the acids start to wear down enamel, it exposes the dentin layer underneath. Dentin contains tiny tubes that are connected to the nerve of the tooth, and hence, make your teeth feel sensitive. Sensitivity is often felt when eating hot, cold or sweet foods and drinks.

White Spots on Teeth

White spots on the surface of your teeth indicate the loss of minerals from the enamel, the outermost protective layer of your teeth. This is often the first visible sign of decay and occurs when your teeth are under attack by acids. At this stage, the decay is still reversible, and with proper care and fluoride treatments, the damage can be controlled and reversed through remineralisation.

Tooth Pain or Sharp Pain

Tooth pain or discomfort, especially when chewing or biting, means that the decay has progressed beyond the enamel and is affecting the dentin or inner part of the tooth. Even if you experience intermittent pain at this stage, it should not be ignored. We suggest you seek dental care immediately to stop disease progression and preserve your dental health. Dental restoration may be necessary to treat the decay and alleviate pain.

Bad Breath or Bad Taste

Plaque is a colourless, sticky film of bacteria and sugars that forms on your teeth. You can easily remove it by brushing your teeth. However, if you don’t and the plaque layer is allowed to grow, it can cause serious oral health issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Persistent bad breath or an unpleasant taste in your mouth can also be due to dental plaque buildup or underlying tooth decay. Oral bacteria cause these symptoms by breaking down food particles trapped between teeth and producing foul-smelling compounds.

Visible Holes or Dark Spots

As decay progresses, you may start to notice visible holes or pits in your teeth. Dark brown, black, or grey spots are another visible sign of tooth decay. At this stage, the enamel is compromised, and a cavity has formed.

A dental examination is crucial to identify and treat these signs of decay.

Bleeding Gums or Gum Disease

Tooth decay can cause gum disease, and untreated gum disease can lead to gum recession. Bleeding gums are often a sign of dental plaque buildup along the gum line and, if left untreated, can lead to gum disease and tooth decay.

If you see any of these signs or symptoms, call your dentist now. Early treatment is less invasive and cheaper than the extensive treatment you may need later on if you ignore these symptoms. Click here to book a consultation with us. We’ll make you look and feel great.

How to Spot Early Tooth Decay

Many people tend to overlook the early signs of tooth decay and ignore them until they start experiencing severe symptoms like pain or infection. Dental sealants can be used as a preventive measure for early tooth decay.

Here is how you can be vigilant about your oral health and prevent serious problems from developing:

Regular Dental Visits

Your dentist is the best person to spot and prevent early stage tooth decay. They are trained to look out for early signs of disease that you may not be able to detect right away, and provide professional cleaning as one of the benefits of regular dental visits.

During your check-up, your dentist will examine your teeth for signs of decay, plaque buildup or other problems. Regular cleanings will remove plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, before it can cause damage.

Look out for Trigger Signs like Tooth Sensitivity

If you experience sensitivity to hot, cold or sweet foods tell your dentist. Sensitivity in your teeth could mean enamel erosion, dentin exposure, or the start of a cavity.

Watch for Visible Changes

Keep an eye on your teeth for any visible changes like white spots, holes, dark spots, or cavity formation. If you see anything unusual, call your dentist now.

Check for Bad Breath

Bad breath even after brushing and flossing can mean decay or gum issues. Regular oral hygiene practices should eliminate bad breath; if it persists call your dentist.

Take care of your teeth and gums means having a good oral care routine and regular dental visits. Zental is here to help every patient achieve good oral health and better life. 

Preventing tooth decay depends largely on your oral hygiene habits and diet. Visiting your dentist regularly can allow them to monitor your oral health, keeping an eye out for any signs of disease.

The Holistic Approach to Stopping Early Dental Decay

Before we explore the various strategies you can employ to stop early tooth decay dead in its tracks, it is important to understand a concept that is not new. In fact, it is as old as humanity itself. This is the concept of holistic health.

Our bodies are, in essence, complex systems capable of maintaining good health when given adequate support. This support should ideally address all aspects of health instead of focusing on and treating just one. Adopting a holistic approach to dental care embodies this notion and helps empower you to make conscious decisions for your health that not only nourish your body but also nurture your mind and soul.

At Zental, we believe in the transformative power of holistic practices to help you achieve good oral health and improve your well-being and quality of life while you're at it. There are several things you can inculcate into your daily routine that can help you improve your dental health while giving your body and mind the self-love it deserves to function optimally.

Good Oral Hygiene Habits

Maintaining good oral hygiene, including using the correct brushing technique, is the key to preventing tooth decay. Mindfully brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily to remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth goes a long way in keeping your teeth and gums healthy. The fluoride in your toothpaste strengthens the enamel and makes it more resistant to acid attacks and decay.

Staying mindful while brushing your teeth will allow you to be aware of the five senses and help you stay present when you start and end your day, giving your brain a chance to rest and setting a peaceful tone for the day ahead or the night ahead.

Fluoride Treatments

If your dentist thinks you are at high risk of developing tooth decay, fluoride treatments can provide an extra layer of protection and even reverse early tooth decay. Your dentist may apply fluoride varnish to your teeth during your regular check-ups, or you can use fluoride mouth rinses to boost the strength of your enamel.

Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks

Sugary foods and drinks are the leading cause of tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar remaining on your teeth, leading to acid production that erodes the enamel. As enamel is the protective layer of your teeth, damage to this layer causes tooth decay, and you may see cavities or pits forming on your teeth.

Limiting the intake of sugary snacks, fizzy drinks, and sweets will reduce your risk of tooth decay. Try to avoid snacking in between meals, too. If you do have an occasional sweet tooth, be sure to rinse your mouth with water afterward to dislodge any food particles stuck to the surfaces of your teeth.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking water helps with good oral hygiene. It stimulates saliva production, which naturally washes away food particles and acids in the mouth. Saliva also helps neutralise acids that cause tooth decay. If you drink bottled water, make sure it has fluoride to protect your teeth.

Chew Sugar-Free Gum

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can boost saliva production and clean your teeth. Look for gum that contains xylitol, a sugar substitute that helps to neutralise acid in the mouth and prevent cavities.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a practice that dates back to ancient times. It involves swishing around an oil, like sesame or coconut, in your mouth for about 20 minutes, then spitting it out. Oil pulling is believed to reduce the load of bad bacteria in the mouth, thanks to its antibacterial properties, and prevents gingivitis, just as effectively as chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Professional Tooth Decay Treatment

If you spot early signs of dental caries, you must act fast to prevent further damage. Dental treatment options can vary depending on the stage of your tooth decay. Early intervention is less invasive, less painful, and less expensive.

Fluoride Treatments for Early Tooth Decay

In the early stages of decay, you can benefit from fluoride treatments. Fluoride is capable of reversing early tooth decay by remineralising the enamel, the topmost layer of your teeth. Fluoride can be applied directly to the teeth during a dental visit through treatments such as fluoride gel, or through fluoride toothpaste and mouth rinses.

Sealants for Children

Dental sealants can provide extra protection for school-age children or those at high risk of cavities. Sealants are a protective coating applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth, where food particles tend to collect and cause decay. They help prevent cavities by creating a protective barrier against acid attacks.

Oral diseases, including tooth decay, can be debilitating and keep you from living your best life. Being proactive and taking preventive measures to take care of your oral health will help you live a healthy and happy life that is pain and discomfort free.

Fillings for Cavities

If a cavity has formed, a filling is needed to restore the tooth. The decayed portion of the tooth is removed, and the cavity is filled with a material like composite resin, amalgam, or porcelain.

Root Canal for Advanced Decay

If decay reaches the inner layers of the tooth and causes a pulp infection, a root canal may be needed. During this procedure, the infected pulp is removed, and the tooth is sealed to prevent further infection.

Tooth Extraction

In extreme cases where the tooth is too damaged to be saved, a tooth extraction may be needed. After the extraction, your dentist can discuss options for tooth replacement, such as implants or bridges.

In a Nutshell

Knowing the warning signs of early tooth decay and how to spot and prevent it can be the difference between a quick dental visit and a long and expensive procedure. Maintaining good oral hygiene and addressing any early signs of tooth decay will help you prevent cavities and protect your teeth from decay. Seeing a dentist regularly will allow them to spot a dental cavity and treat it promptly before it can progress further, keeping your teeth healthy for years to come. Preventive care is crucial in maintaining good oral health and avoiding serious dental issues.

If you notice any signs of tooth decay, like sensitivity, holes, or persistent pain, don’t wait too long. Book in with a dental professional to get it sorted and get the right treatment. At Zental, we care for your overall health and well-being. Click here to book with one of our experts, and your teeth will thank you later. We are committed to helping you prevent tooth decay and treat it effectively when necessary, for a beautiful and healthy smile that you can flaunt with confidence.

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