Tooth Decay – Know The Symptoms And Stop It Before It Happens!
Tooth decay takes place in a tooth when the tooth's enamel has been damaged or has dissolved, resulting in a hole or tooth cavity. Causes of tooth decay vary, but overall the damage is caused by bacteria living in the mouth as a result of poor dental hygiene. These bacteria eat the same food as we do and thrive on sugars in our food and drinks. These same bacteria release acids, responsible for the breakdown of minerals in our teeth.
Mild and Severe Tooth Decay
Depending on the seriousness of the tooth decay process, tooth decay needs different kinds of treatment. Holes formed by mild tooth decay are experienced by nearly every person, at least once in their life. The holes are filled by your dentist, and the tooth can be used again.
FISSURE SEALANTS/FLOURIDE TREATMENT (link)
Severe tooth decay might result in having the tooth capped with a crown, to protect the damaged part of the tooth. Root canal treatment is also an option. In root canal treatment the infected core of the tooth (the pulp) is removed, thus removing the infection inside the tooth. Extraction of the tooth is the last option if severe tooth decay has damaged the tooth to a point where it cannot be treated anymore.
Types of Dental Fillings
There are different types of dental fillings. They are as follows
Amalgam fillings (also known as metal fillings) contain mercury.
Mercury in dental fillings has been questioned as the absorption of the body of mercury could contribute to diseases such as dementia and multiple sclerosis. Amalgam fillings are made up of a composition of metals containing silver, copper, tin and zinc and mercury liquid.
Composite Fillings
Amalgam dental fillings tend to blacken over time and there is a small risk of small amounts of mercury ending up in the body with this type of filling.At Longwood house we offer the alternative high strenght composite/white fillings and porcelaine inlays.
Composite dental fillings look like a natural tooth and will not show any signs of a filling in the mouth when smiling or opening the mouth. These fillings are just as strong and durable as metal fillings .
Dr. Ahmed’s Top 10 Tips to look after your teeth
Dr. Ahmed is the principle dentist at Longwood House, she advocates the following Top 10 ways to look after your teeth:
1. Visit Your Dentist Regularly – Dr. Ahmed says “You need to visit your dentist and hygienist every 6 months. You may think your dentist is looking for classic problems such as gum disease and tooth decay, however, dentists at Longwood House are trained to spot signs of erosion, oral cancer and other serious health problems linked to bad oral health.”
2. Avoid Acidic Drinks - Many people think they are taking the healthy option when they drink a smoothie or fruit juice, but Dr. Ahmed points out that this isn’t the best choice for your teeth. She says: “Smoothies, natural juices, cordial, concentrates and diet drinks are very acidic and erode the enamel on your teeth, which is why your teeth feel sticky after you drink them.” The answer? Drink water.
3. Prevent night-time grinding – Dr. Ahmed says: “You can’t wear your teeth down by eating as our diet today is so soft. If people come to me with worn down teeth then it’s because they grind them in their sleep. Visit Longwood House if this is a problem for you we can give you various types of mouth guards that will solve the problem.”
4. Clean your teeth properly – “Brushing and flossing is essential, but so is knowing how to do it correctly” says Dr. Ahmed. At Longwood House the dentists and hygienists will make sure they show you how to take proper care of your teeth. Flossing in particular takes practice but once you get the hang of it, it won’t take you any time at all. We can also provide you with a mouthwash with an active ingredient that will kill bacteria.
5. Use an electric toothbrush - Once again, these are great as long as you know how to use them. Dentists at Longwood House can show you the right technique. Dr. Ahmed says: “If you don’t get it right then electric toothbrushes are little better than regular brushes. Though I prefer vibrating ones to the rotating ones.”
6. Don’t smoke - There are few worse things for your teeth than smoking. “There are myriad reasons to stop smoking, obviously, but there is so much evidence to say that smoking exacerbates gum disease. I’ve seen it so many times myself. Smoking really makes it more difficult to look after your teeth, not to mention the social disadvantages such as bad breath and yellowing teeth” says Dr. Ahmed.
7. Don’t drink too much tea - Once again the healthy option isn’t always the best for your teeth, says Dr. Ahmed. “I see a lot of people who lead a healthy lifestyle but have stained teeth. That’s because most herbal teas, though they won’t damage your teeth, are black and will stain them. Just look in your cup after a drink. Red wine and coffee can have a similar effect.”
8. Listen to your body - Sometimes dentists are just as likely as your doctor to spot the cause of problems such as neck, shoulder or head pain. Dr. Ahmed says: “Most people would never think these problems had anything to do with their teeth, but, for example, neck pain could be down to clenching or grinding of teeth.” Dr. Ahmed is experienced in identifying and alleviating such problems.
9. Work on your smile – Dr. Ahmed believes that being happy with your smile can improve your social life, job prospects and boost your self-esteem. “You can tell a lot about a person just by looking at their smile and on all these makeover programmes on television the smile is the icing on the cake. It’s so important that you visit your dentist regularly and do all you can to keep them healthy.”
10. Don’t bother with DIY whitening kits – Dr. Ahmed stresses that kits sold in pharmacists and shops aren’t worth the cash. “DIY Whitening kits just don’t do anything and if you want your teeth whitened you need to do it properly. Start by talking to dentists at Longwood House to find out what the options are."