Tooth decay is a common challenge in dentistry and is caused by dental cavities. About 80% of adults suffer from dental holes. The decay emanates from bacteria that stick to our teeth and feed on the sugars and food that make acids in our mouths. The acid eventually wears out the tooth enamel and causes a cavity. While most people understand tooth decay, their judgment is crowded by some myths that prevent them from accessing sufficient dental care. Here are essential facts about tooth cavities and fallacies to avoid while dealing with tooth decay.
Fundamental Facts about Tooth Decay
Tooth decay does not always show symptoms. It is true that you can have tooth decay and fail to show any signs. It is therefore important to visit dentist on regular basis. While it is possible not to identify the signs, a dentist will recognize them through examination and guide you on the best treatment methods. The best thing is that, with the correct diagnoses, modern dentists can offer a range of services to help eliminate tooth decay.
An ignored cavity does not stop growing until addressed. It develops through all your teeth layers up to a point where you can no longer ignore it due to the excruciating pain. When you ignore the cavity for long, it becomes expensive to treat it. A simple filing can eliminate a cavity but ignoring it can lead to extraction or the need for a root canal.
Sugar is one of the largest causes of tooth decay. Consuming foods that contain excessive sugar, such as, candies, bread, fruits, and sweets increases cavities. These foods work with the bacteria in your mouth to form acid, eventually destroying your teeth.
Statistics and data on oral health around the world suggest that tooth cavities lead to tooth loss when not treated on time. At the initial stages, decay seems harmless but can damage your tooth structure. It causes the tooth to break, thus, requiring extraction to avoid infecting the other teeth.
Fallacies about Tooth Cavities
Brushing alone prevents tooth decay. This is a belief that most people tend to follow. Tooth brushing is important but cannot prevent decay all alone. You should always floss after brushing to eliminate the remaining bacteria in your mouth.
Cavities are only for children. They can occur at any stage of life if you do not care for your teeth well. Dry mouth increases the chances of cavities, a common issue in adults using chronic medications. Genetic predispositions and prolonged consumption of sugary products also cause cavities.
When teeth are not hurting, there is no problem. You might have tooth decay and yet no pain. A tooth hurts when the damage is beyond control, and thus, we should always go for checkups to identify and eliminate tooth decay before it becomes too serious.
In conclusion, tooth decay is a serious issue that affects people of all ages. It is important to understand tooth decay, how to identify it, and the methods to deal with it. Avoid believing in all the fallacies people spread about tooth cavities and focus on understanding the facts. Visit the dentist regularly and read materials about tooth cavities to be informed about the correct ways to prevent them.