Tooth Decay – How Does It Happen?

Our Burton family dentist discusses this common dental problem.

It isn’t unusual for a patient to express their surprise when we have to tell them that they have tooth decay and need a filling. “But I hardly eat any sugar” is a common response and one which shows an underlying misunderstanding about how dental decay occurs.

Sugar is one of the worst food products for your teeth and many people believe that this only comes from eating sugar itself, or foodstuffs like sweets or fizzy drinks. But even most savoury foods will contain sugar and we encourage you to take a look when you next take something from your fridge!

Bacterial reaction

It is not the sugar itself which causes the problem, but the way in which it is used by the bacteria already present in your mouth. In effect, sugar acts as a food source for these bacteria. When these two factors combine, acid is created as a by-product which attacks the teeth. Over a period of time, these acids will soften and erode the hard enamel surface of your teeth, exposing the softer dentin layer underneath.

In time, if not treated, this decay may not only cause you to have toothache, but also cause parts of the tooth to break away.

Prevention

The best way to prevent tooth decay is to keep your diet relatively low in sugar and not snack between meals as far as you can. Children especially, but adults too, should avoid fizzy carbonated drinks as these are thought to be one of the leading reasons for tooth decay in young children. As you would expect, good oral hygiene is essential, and, whilst most people brush their teeth, they may not do so correctly or use a very old brush. You should make sure your toothbrush is no more than 3 months old, use a fluoride toothpaste (to strengthen the enamel) and gently brush in circular motions with the brush angled towards the gums.

Dental floss is essential in order to remove food that has been trapped between the teeth, the most common place for dental problems to start. In addition, regular dental hygienist appointments at Mike Allen’s Dental Practice, for a professional clean, will help to remove any hard to reach areas that you may have missed.

Time investment

It is all too easy to give your teeth a cursory brush at night when you are tired but this is unlikely to be enough to keep your teeth healthy though. Your oral health is important and most of us would want to avoid having a filling if we could. Spending just ten minutes each morning and evening to brush our teeth well and floss, is time well spent. Not only will you have healthier teeth and less decay or gum disease, but research is also indicating that gum disease especially, may lead to other health problems. Yet another good reason to spend more time taking care of your teeth and gums!

We also recommend that our Burton patients visit Mike Allen’s Dental Practice at least twice a year for their regular dental check. If you have not had yours for a while, why not book one today by calling our Burton dental practice on 01283 845345.