Dental Decay

Decay occurs when sugars in food and drinks react with the bacteria in plaque, forming acids. Whenever food or drink containing sugars is eaten, these acids attack the teeth and begin to soften and dissolve the enamel. The action can last for an hour after eating or drinking. Natural salts in the saliva resupplies the enamel with minerals and it hardens again.  Other types of carbohydrate foods and drinks such as ‘fermentable' carbohydrates: such as cooked starches, sugars in processed food, natural sugars like those in fruits, react with plaque and form acids. Note that sucrose, maltose and so on are all sugar. The risk of decay increases with eating sugary or acidic snacks and drinks between meals, because the teeth is constantly attacked and do not have ample time to recover. Therefore it is not advised to always eat sugary snacks or sugary drinks throughout the day.

Signs of Dental Decay

The early stages of dental decay present no symptoms. However, dentists may be able to spot a cavity in its early stages by means x-ray examination of the teeth. Therefore, it is important and greatly encouraged to visit the dentists regularly to make for early detection and treatment of small cavities before they become advanced. Once the cavity has affected the dentine, the tooth may become sensitive, especially when hot or acidic foods as well as sweet foods or drink, is eaten. When the decay progress near the dental pulp it may result in toothache which may last for only a few seconds if it is caused by hot or sweet foods. When the decay progresses closer to the dental pulp the pain may last longer and painkillers may be needed to control the pain. At this stage, a visit to the dentist is absolutely necessary as the tooth is dying and may develop dental abscess.

Prevention of dental decay

1. Thoroughly brush the teeth with a fluoride toothpaste last thing at night and at least one other time during the day.

2. Ensure that the inner, the outer and biting surfaces of the teeth are brushed.

3. Use ‘inter dental' brushes, or dental floss or tape, to remove plaque and food particles from areas an ordinary toothbrush can't reach, such as between the teeth and where they meet the gums.

4.  Eat sugary and acidic food and drinks less often.

5. Avoid having snacks between meals.

6. Chew sugar-free gum for up to twenty minutes after a meal. It can help the mouth produce more saliva, which helps neutralize acids that have formed.

7. Visit the dentist regularly, as often as it is recommend