Q & A To Help You Avoid Decay And Identify Its Causes And Symptoms
Posted on: 19 October 2015
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It can be difficult to protect yourself from developing a dental cavity. The bacteria in your mouth feed on sugars each time you consume carbohydrates. As the oral bacteria digest sugars, they release acid that erodes tooth enamel and causes demineralization that can result in decay.
Still, there are ways to avoid tooth decay. Here are a few questions and answers to help you avoid decay and identify its causes and symptoms:
How can you limit decay-causing bacteria in your mouth?
By the time you are an adolescent, there are about 400 different species of oral bacteria in your mouth. The most virulent of them, Streptococcus mutans, is the primary cause of dental cavities. This bacterium is anaerobic and dies in the presence of oxygen. Thus, when you brush your teeth, the foaming action of the toothpaste can help kill these damaging microbes. In addition, mouthwash that contains chlorhexidine helps control oral bacteria counts.
What symptoms can you expect if decay progresses to the inside of your tooth?
Tooth enamel is the hardest mineral substance in the human body; it's considered stronger than bone. However, once its protective barrier is breached, oral bacteria may have access to the interior living material of the tooth, which is called the pulp. An infection that occurs inside the dental pulp may result in the need for a root canal.
Symptoms of dental pulp infection and inflammation include pain, throbbing pressure in the jaw near the site of the infection, a foul odor from the mouth, dental sensitivity to hot and cold, and bleeding gums. There may also be a swollen section of the gum near the inflammation site. This swelling is typically caused by an abscess, which is a pus-filled sac.
How can tooth decay be avoided?
It is best to avoid dental decay by limiting bacterial growth. This can be accomplished by restricting your sugar intake, regularly brushing and flossing and taking the following precautions.
Rinse your mouth with water after meals and snacks.
The water will have wash away food particles that can contribute to plaque formation. In addition, the water helps dilute harmful acids.
Chew sugarless gum.
The gum helps pull food and plaque from the surface of your teeth and gums. In addition, if the gum is sweetened with xylitol, it has an anti-bacterial effect.
Drink black tea.
Researchers have found that black tea can lower the amount of Streptococcus mutans bacteria in your mouth. To reap the benefits of the drink, consume at least three or four cups of tea each day.
If you are concerned about tooth decay, be sure to take the necessary measures to control the bacterial population in your mouth. In addition, visit a dentist regularly. If you have not had a dental appointment within the last six months, contact a dentist in your area today.
For more information about dental health, go to sites like this one.