Tooth Decay: Why Does it Happen and How to Remove It Yourself

Tooth decay is a serious threat to our oral health. Healthy teeth not only play a vital role in overall well-being but also impact our appearance and confidence. Because both function and aesthetics are important, it’s essential to understand the habits that can lead to tooth decay. In this article, we’ll explore common habits that harm your teeth, as well as treatment options and prevention strategies to help you maintain a healthy, strong smile.

How Does Tooth Decay Happen?

First, let’s see what exactly happens to your teeth when your dentist diagnoses you with tooth decay. (We hope your dentist never does.)

Tooth decay starts from the surface of your teeth. The outermost layer is enamel, which will be threatened by infectious agents. But what are these agents? Well, we’re talking about bacteria here. They exist in your mouth. Inside dental plaque. If you have no idea what we’re talking about, let us explain. Dental plaque is that white film that sticks to your teeth along the gumline. The plaque is not as harmless as it seems. It contains bacteria that produce acids that can harm tooth enamel. These acids start weakening the enamel and gradually making a hole in it. The bacteria can go deeper, reaching the innermost layer of teeth, the pulp. At this stage, only a root canal treatment can save the tooth. This treatment involves removing the infected pulp from the tooth.

What Are the Reasons Behind Tooth Decay?

Several factors contribute to the development of tooth decay, including:

Having Poor Oral Hygiene

Believe this, all the brushing and flossing is not wasted at all. Each time you brush your teeth, you remove food leftovers and dental plaque – the main ingredients of perfect tooth decay! If you want your teeth to remain decay-free, oral hygiene is the most important thing you should take care of.

Consuming a Lot of Sugary and Acidic Foods and Drinks

These are some of our favorite foods and drinks – and they’re favorites for bacteria too! When you consume a lot of these foods and drinks, you give these criminals exactly what they need to cause more trouble successfully! It’s best to limit these types of foods.

Dry Mouth

We realized that acids play a destructive role in the process of tooth decay. Normally, saliva can neutralize some of the acid in the mouth. But if your mouth is dry and enough saliva isn’t present there (due to your body’s dehydration, medication, or some medical conditions), acids can become more dangerous.

Poor Diet

You saw how tooth enamel is threatened and weakened as tooth decay progresses. So, if your tooth enamel is stronger, it’s more resistant to decay. But if your diet doesn’t contain nutrients like calcium and phosphorus, your enamel will weaken more easily.

Brushing Too Aggressively

Although we insist that brushing is a must, you shouldn’t do it aggressively! Your tooth enamel can wear down if you brush too hard. So, you can accelerate tooth decay unwillingly. Remember to use a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid self-sabotaging!

Misaligned Teeth or Dental Issues

Crooked teeth are usually harder to clean. Misaligned teeth, broken fillings, or chipped teeth can trap food particles, dental plaque, and bacteria. These are accumulated in the spots that are harder to reach with a toothbrush.

How to Remove Tooth Decay Yourself

There are a number of methods you can use to prevent the progress of tooth decay in its early stages. You should know that these DIY methods are not substitutes for professional treatments. If you notice a warning sign, it’s best to visit your dentist.

Oil Pulling: You need a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil. Swish it for 15-20 minutes and it can help reduce the accumulation of bacteria and dental plaque. Thisو in turn, reduces the risk of tooth decay.

Sugar-Free Gum: Chewing gum vs acids! Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production in your mouth. This can neutralize acids and remineralize enamel. If you pick a gum that contains xylitol, you can kill bacteria as well.

Eggshells: Don’t walk on eggshells, rinse with them! Did you know that crushed eggshells are rich in calcium carbonate which can remineralize enamel? Boil and clean the eggshells, then make a mixture of eggshell powder and water and rinse your mouth with it!

Garlic: Garlic’s antibacterial properties can be a nightmare for decay-causing bacteria. You can chew it raw or put its paste on your tooth. Be careful when doing this, because too much of it can irritate your gums and other tissues in your mouth.

Clove Oil: This is another option with analgesic and antibacterial properties to slow tooth decay. You can use a cotton ball to apply a little clove oil on your tooth. It can also relieve your pain. Be careful not to use it too much!

Tips to Protect Your Teeth from Decay

To keep your teeth healthy and decay-free, make sure you follow these tips:

• Brush twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste!
• Cut back on sugary snacks and drinks. After consuming them, rinse your mouth with water.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated.
• Incorporate dairy products, leafy greens, and nuts into your diet. This way, you’ll have strong tooth enamel.
• Visit your dentist every six months. Your dentist can identify early signs of tooth decay and address them.
• Fluoride can strengthen tooth enamel. Use fluoride mouthwash or get fluoride treatments.
• Use a mouthguard if you grind your teeth or play sports. This prevents your tooth enamel from being damaged.

Signs that You Might Have Tooth Decay

Beware of warning signs! Tooth decay can have several symptoms, so if you notice one of these, it’s time to rush to the dental office.

There are white or brown spots on your teeth.

Remember when we told you tooth decay starts with the weakening of the tooth enamel? Well, this is it! If you can see white or brown spots on your tooth, it means that the enamel is being demineralized (minerals are being lost from the enamel).

You can notice cavities

Pits or holes in your teeth are bad news. To be honest, these are cavities! This means that the decay is progressing further, destroying your tooth on its way. These cavities make your teeth look damaged, so take care of them right away.

Your teeth have become sensitive

Weakened tooth enamel again! Normally, enamel protects the inner layers of teeth. As it gets more and more damaged and inner layers are exposed to stimulus, you can feel sensitivity and discomfort in your teeth. This can happen when you eat or drink something hot, cold, or sweet.

Toothache

Another result of the enamel being damaged is toothache. As the decay progresses into the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), you may experience toothache. You can experience pain in your tooth especially when chewing.

Your breath smells bad

If you feel an unpleasant taste in your mouth and your breath smells bad (a condition named halitosis), it might be a sign that you need to fight tooth decay. This happens especially if an infection has developed in the tooth.

Your teeth are discolored

Decaying teeth may appear yellow, brown, or black as the enamel wears away. This is because the underlying layers are now exposed. If you notice discoloration of your teeth, call the dental clinic right away and schedule an appointment.

How is Tooth Decay Treated?

There are different stages of tooth decay, and for each stage, there is a certain treatment method. In this section, you can learn about these treatments.

Early-stage decay: fluoride treatments

This treatment is suitable for early-stage decay. The purpose is to remineralize the enamel. This in turn reverses the decay. This treatment is done by applying a concentrated fluoride varnish, gel, or foam to the tooth.

Cavities: dental fillings

If the decay progresses to the point that cavities are created on teeth, remineralizing the enamel won’t be enough. We need to remove the damaged part of the tooth. After removing the decayed portion, we fill it with composite resin material.

Fixing visible damages: dental bonding

This treatment is suitable for reshaping the tooth. To fix visible damages caused by tooth decay, we can apply a tooth-colored material to the tooth. This material can be shaped and adjusted to restore the function and appearance of the tooth.

Restoring weakened teeth: Placing dental crowns

If the decay progresses too much, the tooth is weakened to the extent that it cannot be restored with dental filling. We now need a stronger solution. A crown is a cap that covers the entire tooth, so the tooth is strengthened and restored.

Treating progressed decay: Root canal treatment

RCT is done when the decay is too deep. This is when the innermost layer of the tooth is affected by the infection. During a root canal, we remove the damaged tissue from the inside of the tooth. Then we clean and seal the chamber to prevent further infection.

Excessive damage: Extraction and replacement

We do our best to save a tooth, but sometimes, the tooth is just too damaged. In such cases, fillings or root canal treatments won’t save the tooth. This is when we have to remove the tooth and use a tooth replacement method such as placing a dental implant or bridge.

Final Words

Tooth decay is one of the most common health issues, actually second after the common cold. But with proper care and timely treatment, you can avoid all the pain and trouble. To make sure everything is alright with your oral health, having dental check-ups is essential. If you’re looking for a trusted dental clinic in Vancouver, Vancouver Main Dentist is here to offer premium dental care in a comfortable and pleasant setting. Contact us today for your outstanding dental visit in Vancouver!

Have questions about tooth decay or prevention tips that worked for you? Share your thoughts in the comments; we’d love to hear from you.