Important Tooth Decay Facts
In today’s society we are judged on how we look. If we do not look
good then we must be failures. People are always looking for the next
best products for their skin, hair and bodies. This obsession on how we
look is blamed on TV advertising, celebrities and magazines. It goes
without saying that the majority of people do look after their hair,
skin, bodies and nails. One area that should be a priority that is often
overlooked is dental hygiene. Regular dental hygiene is more important
than just having white teeth.
As a child a visit to the dentist is often met with fear and dread. I
used to hate the foul tasting treatments with fluoride that I suffered,
and the seemingly constant inspections. It is with regret that I have
to say that my teeth today are in a poor condition. This is through my
own carelessness with my dental routine as well as a liking for eating
anything sugary.
Brushing our teeth for an insuficient amount of time will lead to
small amounts of food stuffs remaining in our mouths, especially around
the teeth. Sadly the bacteria in the mouth can feed off this and
replicate at an alarming rate. Bacteria produce acid and it is this acid
which causes most harm to our teeth. If the bacteria has a large amount
of material to “feed” off then it is obvious that there will be more
bacteria and, therefore, more acid and, subsequently, more damage to our
teeth. Ultimately the acid will cause cavities and, eventually, the
tooth may collapse.
Streptococcus Mutans is the name of the bacteria that causes tooth
decay. Cavities can appear in teeth in as little as six months, if
proper care is not taken of them, or take as long as six years to
appear, if more care is taken. The tooth enamel (outer layer of tooth)
is hard, whilst the inner tooth is softer. Because the enamel is hard it
can take a lot longer for decay to occur but once it does the softer
centre of the tooth is exposed and is destroyed a lot quicker.
Brushing is not the only form of defence in fighting tooth decay,
flossing is very important too and should be part of a daily routine.
Because the the spaces between teeth are very narrow, food becomes
easily trapped, and hence bacteria forms. This area is where cavities
are most common, and the correct manner of removing foods from here is
flossing.
Mouthwash is also an essential part of good dental hygiene. It has an
anti-bacterial action as well as freshening breath. The anti-bacterial
action fights the bacteria left in the mouth after brushing and
flossing, further reducing the chances of decay. Some people do not like
the taste of mouthwash but there is such a large choice that there is
something to suit everyone’s taste.
The best way to prevent tooth decay would to eliminate all things
responsible for the damage. This is not always easy or practical, but by
following a simple routine the chances of decay are greatly reduced.
The first thing to do would be to ensure one brushes and flosses at
least twice daily. Not doing so is the main reason for tooth decay. Next
sugar consumption should be reduced, but be vigilant as a lot of foods
have a higher sugar content than one might realise. Today there is no
need to take fluoride supplements as this is already introduced into our
drinking water supply. Last but not least, avoid smoking. Not only does
tobacco stain the teeth it can also increase the chances of tooth
decay.
Having a poor dental hygiene routine is what eventually leads to
decay and bad breath. If we all learnt how to look after our teeth
properly, and followed the advice of our dentists, then we would not
need to visit him so often for unpleasant treatments.
