When bacteria damages the hard structures of the tooth, dental caries or dental cavity are produced. Two pathogens responsible for this condition are Steptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus. Knowledge of ways to stop tooth decay is essential as ignoring the signs of this condition cause pain, loss of tooth. This article tries to gain further insight on this topic.
In the United States, this dental condition is the most common chronic childhood disease. It is five times more prevalent than asthma in children. 29-59 percent adults above the age of 50 suffer from dental cavity.
How to Stop Tooth Decay
It is not easy to address the destruction of tooth structures if appropriate steps are not taken to maintain optimal oral hygiene. Conditions like re-mineralization can be treated using topical fluoride if it happens on a small scale. Otherwise, treatment is restricted to preventing the progression of the loss of minerals from the tooth.
In the initial stages, local anesthesia, laughing gas and medicines prescribed by the doctor can provide adequate relief from pain and anxiety. Excess amounts of decay are removed using dental drill device. If the destruction is close to the pulp, then an instrument called spoon is used to remove the decay. A restoration work follows thereafter at the treated site so that the tooth resumes its normal functioning and looks good.
In case there are not enough tooth structures left for restoration, a crown made up of gold or porcelain is used as an alternative.
When the pulp of the tooth is destroyed by the bacterial infection, a technique called endodontic therapy is applied. The affected section of the pulp is removed and the tooth structure is restored using a rubber-like substance gutta percha, tooth filling and crown. No risk of infection exists anymore as the entire structure of the tooth along with its root is made up of artificial materials.
If restoration is not possible, extraction of tooth is the ultimate treatment for tooth decay. It is considered when the presence of the affected tooth poses threat to the health of the surrounding teeth. Moreover, patients who cannot afford costly dental restoration treatments prefer to undergo extraction of the tooth as the method is cheap and less complicated.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay
- Proper brushing and flossing on daily basis remove and inhibit the formation of bacterial plaque.
- Aids like floss, mouthwashes, tooth picks and interdental brushes ensure proper health of the segments of the teeth inaccessible to the regular brushes.
- Visit to the dental clinic for every six months is recommended by the dentists for ensuring proper dental and oral health.
- The American Dental Association recommends that children should not be allowed to consume sugary substances like drinks and candy in excess.
- Brushing after meals twice a day is should be made a regular habit for the children from their early years.
- Dental sealants are available for the children and aged people which is a coating like structure placed on the teeth. It does not allow the food to get trapped in the corners of the teeth owing to chewing pressure and cause plaque formation.
- Foods rich in calcium nutrients should be taken as per its daily recommended intake to ensure good dental health.
- Tooth pastes and mouth washes including the substance topical fluoride are recommended for protecting the surface of the teeth.
- Chewing gums containing Xylitol can maintain proper pH value of the saliva and stop loss of essential minerals form the tooth.
Common Dental Problems in Children
Common dental problems in children can become severe if not treated in time. Parents need to take a little extra effort to check the dental habits of their kids. However, there are few common dental problems in children which one can develop. Let us examine some of the common dental issues among kids.
Some of the common dental issues in children are listed below.
Tongue Thrushing: It is a habit which damages in a similar way as thumb-sucking, if the condition is not addressed in time. Some children who find it difficult to swallow, sometimes thrust their tongue against their lips. This causes same affect like thumb-sucking, such as negatively impacting on the bite or protruding front teeth. It can also affect a kid’s speech development.
Lip sucking: This is another dental concern among children. It also causes similar affects as thumb-sucking, such as bite problems or teeth misalignment. If you notice that your kid is sucking he/his lip, then consult your child’s pediatric dentist as he/she will you to stop your lip sucking. The sooner your kid loses the habit of lip sucking, the better it can be for her/his overall dental health.
Broken or chipped teeth: Children often meet with injuries and accidents, this may cause a broken or chipped teeth. If it is a milky tooth then the dentist may remove it or leave it in a similar way and allows the permanent teeth to develop. However, if the permanent teeth then the dentists may carry with a treatment to reduce its effect in the mouth, as it is a broken or chipped tooth. So, make sure that children who play sports protect their teeth by wearing a mouth guard.
These are a some of the major dental problems in children, which need an immediate attention to prevent severe dental problems.
Conclusion: Awareness on ways to stop tooth decay is of vital importance for children and aged people. However, middle aged individuals can realize that paying early attention to dental health can avoid tooth complications in their later years.
