- Signs and symptoms of tooth decay
- How to confirm the diagnosis
- Treatment for dental caries
- How to prevent cavities
- Foods that prevent cavities
Dental caries, also popularly known as rotten tooth, is an infection of the teeth caused by bacteria that form hard plaques that are difficult to remove at home. In this plaque the bacteria gradually perforate the enamel of the teeth causing pain and discomfort when they reach the deepest parts of the teeth.
One of the main bacteria that causes caries is Streptococcus mutans , especially in children, which can be easily transmitted from one person to another through close contact such as kissing on the mouth or when splitting cutlery, for example. So, when you have a cavity, it is recommended to avoid kissing the child's mouth, even if he is a child, or to taste his food, to know if it is too hot, using the same cutlery.
However, the main cause of tooth decay continues to be the lack of oral hygiene, especially when associated with the excessive consumption of sugary foods, such as cakes, sweets or cookies, as they are factors that facilitate the development of bacteria on the teeth.
Signs and symptoms of tooth decay
The main symptom of caries is toothache, but in some cases it may still exist:
- Pain that worsens when eating or drinking something sweet, cold or hot; Presence of holes in one or more teeth; Brown or white spots on the tooth surface; Sensitivity when touching a tooth; Swollen and painful gum.
In the initial phase, caries often do not present any symptoms and, therefore, when the first symptoms appear, it is very important to go immediately to the dentist to confirm the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment, avoiding complications such as a more serious infection or loss of a teeth.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The best way to confirm the diagnosis of dental caries is to consult a dentist, as he may use special equipment that allows you to observe the inside of the mouth and all sides of the teeth, looking for small holes that may indicate the presence of caries. Sometimes, when observing the presence of a 'little hole' in the tooth, the dentist places an instrument with a very thin tip, inside this little hole to assess its depth and whether the person feels pain.
In addition, if the caries is between two teeth, for example, the dentist can still do an X-ray to identify it.
Treatment for dental caries
The only way to treat a tooth decay is in consultation with the dentist, there is no home treatment capable of eliminating it. Sometimes, just 1 session is enough to eliminate caries, with a filling in the tooth, but when many teeth are affected, the treatment can be more prolonged and expensive, and it may be necessary to resort to root canal treatment or even tooth removal, which then needs to be replaced with a prosthesis.
Find out more details about the treatment of dental cavities.
How to prevent cavities
The best strategy for preventing tooth decay is to brush your teeth at least twice a day to remove food debris from your teeth and prevent plaque formation. Taking a sip of water after eating is also a good strategy, especially when you can't brush your teeth.
However, other important precautions include:
- Decrease the consumption of sugar and foods that stick to your teeth; Prefer a fluoride toothpaste whenever brushing your teeth; Eat 1 apple after a meal to clean your teeth; Eat 1 slice of yellow cheese like cheddar, for example to normalize the pH of the mouth, protecting the teeth from bacteria that cause cavities; Always have sugar-free gum around because chewing stimulates salivation and it protects your teeth because it does not allow bacteria to produce the acid that corrodes your teeth. Floss and mouthwash, especially before bed, and if you use braces, always after eating. Here's how to brush your teeth properly to avoid cavities.
In addition, it is advisable to go to the dentist every 6 months to do a more thorough cleaning of the teeth, completely removing the plaque. In some cases, the dentist may also apply a thin layer of fluoride to your teeth, especially children's teeth, to strengthen your teeth.
Foods that prevent cavities
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In addition to the apple helping to clean the teeth and yellow cheeses to balance the pH of the mouth, reducing the risk of tooth decay, there are some foods that can help in this control:
- Fibrous foods like carrots, cucumbers and celery; Protein-rich foods such as tuna, eggs and meats, which can also be eaten in sandwich snacks.
The foods that should be avoided are sweets, especially if it is a snack or eaten alone in the middle of the afternoon, because they cause less problems when consumed after a meal, such as dessert.
