Let’s talk about tooth decay. Did you know the common cold is the only thing more common than dental issues? Healthy teeth are essential to your overall health. Your mouth has a lot of bacteria in it and can spread to other areas of your body.
So, what are the first signs of tooth decay?
- Tooth Sensitivity
- Pain when eating or drinking
- Toothache
If you want to learn more about the first signs of tooth decay, when you should call your dentist and how to stop it before it starts, continue reading.
First Signs of Tooth Decay
1. Tooth sensitivity is just like it sounds. When you eat or drink something hot or cold, it hurts your teeth. This can also occur when you eat something sweet. Why does this happen? Sugar eats away at your tooth’s enamel. When proper dental hygiene isn’t used, the sugar will set on the teeth causing further damage.
2. Pain when eating or drinking occurs when a cavity forms. When you bite into food or drink certain drinks, you will notice pain ranging from mild to severe. After a short time, you will notice that the pain starts occurring more frequently.
3. A toothache can range from a dull ache to severe pain. The discomfort can start slowly or can come on suddenly. Usually, if the pain comes on suddenly, it is because of something you eat. As the cavity continues to grow, the pain will worsen and sometimes hurt so much it interferes with day-to-day activities.
What are the Stages of Tooth Decay?
1. The first stage of tooth decay is called demineralization. You will start to notice this when you see white spots start appearing on your teeth. This occurs when you eat or drink foods high in sugar. The sugar in the foods causes acid, which eats away at your tooth’s enamel, causing the spots.
2. Enamel decay is the second stage of tooth decay. If the decay continues, your enamel will continue to be damaged, and you’ll the color go from white to brown. The breaking down of enamel starts on the inside of your teeth.
3. Stage three is called dentin decay. This stage is when the tissue located under the enamel starts to decay. Since dentin is softer than enamel, this stage is relatively short. The main sign that you have reached this stage is when you become more sensitive when eating certain foods.
4. Pulp damage is where your nerves and blood vessels are located. If you reach this stage, you will notice constant pain, swelling, and pus forms.
5. An abscess will form. This is the actual infection, and you can expect severe pain, and it will travel to your jaw. You may experience swelling in your face and fever. When you hit stage 5, you need to call a dentist immediately. Your dentist will likely do a root canal at this stage, put on caps, and apply a sealant to your infected teeth.
If you don’t take care of dental issues, decay will continue, resulting in gingivitis and eventually tooth loss.
When Should You Call Your Dentist?
The first thing you need to do is visit your dentist every six months so the dentist can address dental issues before they advance. At the first sign of tooth pain, you should call your dentist. The sooner you take care of the problem, the easier it is to prevent further issues.
What are Some Tips to Prevent Tooth Decay?
Teens and Adults
- Visit your dentist regularly.
- Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
- Limit sugary foods and drinks
- When you eat or drink something sweet, rinse your mouth afterward.
- Avoid snacking before bed.
- Don’t smoke or drink to excess.
- If you have a dry mouth, frequently make a doctor’s appointment.
- Ask your dentist about sealants.
- Make it a habit to drink tap water.
Infants and Toddlers
- Brush their teeth or gums with a soft toothbrush.
- Remove the bottle promptly after they’re done eating
- Start taking them to the dentist by the age of 2.
Common Risk Factors
- Tooth location – Some of the places your teeth make them difficult to reach when brushing and flossing.
- Not getting enough fluoride.
- Heartburn
- Dry mouth
- Old fillings
- Eating disorders
Overall, Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Tooth decay is a serious issue that can happen to anyone during any stage of life. Luckily, you can take simple steps to prevent dental problems or reverse them if caught quickly. The best thing you can do for your dental health is to brush regularly and call your dentist at the first sign of an issue.
At Walled Lake Dentistry, we are committed to the long-term dental health of each of our patients and are equipped to help you achieve it. As a full-service dental clinic including dental treatments, restorative dentistry, cosmetic dentistry and children’s dentistry, we meet the dental needs of the entire family. Call us for a Free Dental Consultation and see why we are Walled Lake’s and beyond #1 choice for dental care!