Today, a few words about tooth decay.
Tooth decay is an infectious disease caused by cariogenic bacteria, which can easily be transmitted from one person to another. Cariogenic bacteria love simple sugars. This is their main food source. Therefore, we should pay attention to what we eat and what our children eat. Even corn puffs, which are not sweet at all, stick to our teeth, and the starch in the puffs breaks down into simple sugars in the mouth.
In young children, bottle caries often develops – it usually appears when a child is given sweet tea in a bottle at night and falls asleep with the bottle in their mouth.
Of course, for tooth decay to develop, we also need our tooth. Scientists in the laboratory tried to produce tooth decay with poor results, while we manage to do it perfectly in our home oral environment. Unfortunately, Poles rank very high among nationalities struggling with the problem of tooth decay.
Initially, tooth decay affects only the enamel, not yet causing significant effects, mainly aesthetic ones.
Next, the decay reaches the second layer of the tooth (dentin). At this stage, decay attacks more aggressively and can lead to the formation of a so-called cavity. Painful symptoms may already appear here (e.g., after eating sweets).
In the final stage (if we neglect or overlook the first two), decay attacks the enamel, dentin, and reaches the pulp of the tooth, commonly known as the nerve. This is the moment when patients call with pain and request an immediate appointment, willing to do practically anything to stop the pain. It's the moment when taking cold water in the mouth brings relief. This is usually pulpitis, which typically ends with root canal treatment.
It may also happen that the patient waits out the pulpitis phase, and either the decay attacks the entire tooth, leaving only the root, leading to extraction, or it leads to inflammation of the periapical tissue. Unfortunately, this occurs in a place the patient cannot clean, and without the intervention of a dentist, it can lead to a life-threatening condition.
How to reduce the risk of tooth decay?
First and foremost, we must maintain a proper diet. Drink water frequently or use chewing gum. Remember daily oral hygiene (at least twice a day), using a toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, dental floss, and regular visits to the dental hygienist.
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