Tooth decay occurs when bacteria interact with sugar. We all have bacteria living in our mouths. Each time you eat sugary products, bacteria are eating the sugar. This action produces acid. The acid eats away at your teeth. Therefore, as the acid eats away at your teeth, the bacteria goes deeper into your teeth causing decay.
Can You Reverse Tooth Decay?
You get a cavity as a result of decay. The cavity must be cleaned out. The inside of your tooth can become “mushy and soft” from decay. Sugary products like sports drinks and sodas are often causes of this, as well as any other sugary or acidic foods.
Depending on how big the cavity is and how much it’s progressed through the enamel, tooth decay is reversible. But how?
The outer shell of the tooth (the enamel) is demineralized. If you catch that really early and get some fluoride in there, you can remineralize that area and stop the decay.
Other forms of decay require fillings. Really deep cavities can require root canals and a crown. The worst forms of cavities may require extraction. When bacteria reach the tooth’s nerve a root canal is needed. At that point, decay has moved from the outer surface of the tooth to the middle and is affecting the nerve.
How Can You Prevent Tooth Decay?
The steps for preventing or reversing early cavities are simple.
- Fluoride is the main component to stopping early cavities from going further. Bacteria removes calcium from teeth creating a porous surface. Fluoride takes the place of calcium and refills the area back in. It is a lot stronger than calcium too.
- We recommend brushing your teeth daily with fluoride toothpaste and rinsing with fluoride mouthwash.
- Flossing is just as important too as it’s another easy way to prevent cavities.
- Visit your dentist on a regular basis.
Mid Cities Dental is offering a free fluoride treatment if you mention this article and schedule a cleaning before February 28th