Can you actually remember the last time you went to the dentist for a check-up? Not really sure… You might be thinking, well, it doesn’t really matter as you probably aren’t feeling any tooth pain and life seems great! It would be best practice, though, to book regular appointments with your dentist. Dental cavities are painless at first and tend not to pose a problem, but later on, they can cause serious damage to your teeth. So, let’s dive right in and take a closer look.
Where do Dental Cavities come from?
Dental Cavities start off as tiny openings or holes that form in the enamel of your teeth. Bacteria found inside the mouth cause these cavities to appear. These Bacteria feed on the sugar found in the food we eat and in dental plaque which in turn produces acid, and it is this acid, that causes tooth decay.
So, what happens in the long term if tooth decay is left untreated? If left, tooth decay will gradually start to progress and develop. It initially appears on the surface of the teeth, gradually eating away at the enamel and then attacks the dentin (which lies beneath the enamel) before finally reaching the dental pulp. In some cases, this can lead to severe pain, dental nerve necrosis (death of the dental nerve) and even tooth extraction.
So, what can be done to prevent this from happening?
Several good practices can be used to prevent the formation and progress of Dental Cavities: for example, drinking water regularly limits the development of bacteria and cleanses the mouth from food residue.
Brush your teeth
The best way of getting rid of food residue inside your mouth is simply to brush your teeth thoroughly every day. A habit that should be well established right from the moment your first tooth appeared (for children) and then throughout the rest of your life. It is better, of course, to brush your teeth after every meal. You can also carry around with in your bag, a small kit with a toothbrush and toothpaste so that you can brush your teeth as you go about your daily business.
Using Floss or an Interdental brush
Toothbrush bristles cannot always easily penetrate the different areas found between your teeth. This is why cavities often develop in these interdental areas. Dental floss or an interdental brush can help clean these areas and is an excellent complement to brushing your teeth. But be careful though when flossing or brushing, as these spaces between your teeth can be sensitive and are sometimes subject to bleeding.
Eat a healthy diet
As we’ve already said, bacteria consume leftover sugar found in our food. So, it’s a good idea to reduce food that contains sugar: i.e., sugary drinks, sweets, acid-drop sweets etc. And if you really can’t do without them, you’re better off eating this type of food just once a day rather than spread over the whole day.
Book regular dental check-ups
Although eating a healthy diet and regularly brushing your teeth are effective ways of preventing Dental Cavities, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have regular check-ups with your dentist. Because cavities are not painful when they first appear, they can very easily take root in your mouth without you even realizing it.
So, it’s definitely a good idea to treat the problem sooner rather than later to help prevent dental cavities from “taking root”.
First, your dentist will make a thorough examination of your teeth and make a diagnosis. Since teeth grinding is often caused by stress and anxiety, your dentist may recommend a solution to treat the underlying causes: Relaxation exercises, physiotherapy for face muscles, therapy, and any other means to help reduce stress.
An additional measure is to wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. Mouth guards are usually made of plastic, rubber or resin and are fitted to your teeth (with a digital dental impression) and are worn at night. They are designed to keep your upper and lower jaw from coming into direct contact, thus preventing further tooth wear.
If you feel pain, or you have noticed that you seem to be clenching your teeth or if you think that you are teeth are damaged in any way, we advise you to book an appointment to get your teeth examined.
