Diagnosis For Tooth Decay

The process of tooth decay is mostly discovered during routine checkups by a dentist. When the teeth are probed with a dental explorer (a metal probe looking like a shepherds' hook) some teeth may be softer than others. This is often the result of tooth cavities and decay. When cavities are found in this procedure, x-rays might be taken of the teeth to make cavities visible.

Treatment for Tooth Decay

Tooth decay can be treated with the help of the following methods

Dental Fillings

When teeth show signs of cavities and dental caries, the decayed bone and pulp will be removed and replaced with dental fillings. These fillings can be made of porcelain, amalgam or even gold.

Crowns

If the tooth decay process has caused too much damage and there is no bone left to place a filling in the cavity, a crown (a cap) will be placed over the remainder of the damaged tooth. It goes without saying that a dentist will always try to keep the tooth as whole as possible. If the tooth is too far gone for a filling procedure, or even a crown, extraction is a last option.

Do Treatments Preserve the Tooth?

Treatment is aimed at preserving the tooth. Early treatment will be more succesful in saving a tooth, and expenses for early treatment will obviously cost less as there is less damage to repair. Local anesthetics are sometimes necessary, especially in the case of drilling in damaged teeth. Most dentists offer the possibility of anestesia with nitrous oxide, for those who are scared of dential treatments.

Problems Caused By Untreated Tooth Decay

Untreated decay in a tooth cavity could spread to other teeth and surrounding bone. The pulp in the tooth will be affected and this could cause more damage and possible loss of the tooth. The tooth or gums could get infected, resulting in bacteria possible spreading throughout the body of the patient, fever and loss of teeth.

Prevention of Tooth Decay

A good standard of oral hygiene is the best way to keep tooth decay at bay. Regular brusing, flossing and checkups with a dentist cannot be underestimated. Brushing the teeth after sweet snacks such as dried fruit or candy will help prevent the forming of plaque.

Oral Hygiene

The bad breath cause is sulphur-producing or anaerobic bacteria. This bacteria breed in the mouth, producing bad breath. However, there are other medical conditions that can lead to chronic breath. Knowing what causes bad breath is one of the first steps in dealing with bad breath.

Use of Dental Sealants

Dental sealants, thin layers of hard plastic applied to the crown of a tooth, are mostly apllied to childrens' teeth after their teeth have developed properly. This procedure may also be applied to adults dealing with causes of tooth decay, such as diabetes patients. This thin protective layer will prevent bacteria from forming on the crown of the teeth, making it more difficult, if not impossible for bacteria to damage the tooth. If however dental hygiene is not up to scratch, tooth cavities may still be infected.

As with nearly any dental problem, treatment is available but prevention of decay problems is obviously best. No snacks in between meals, a very low sugar intake and regular brushing will make you lees susceptible to attacks by the bacteria that causes tooth decay.