Tooth Decay Causes and Prevention

It can happen to babies. It can happen to children. It can happen to senior citizens. It can happen to virtually anyone. In fact, approximately 90% of the U.S. population suffers from it. What is it? Tooth decay - causes and prevention.

Simply stated, tooth decay is the wearing down of tooth enamel over a period of time. As this enamel fades away, the tooth

surface is left vulnerable inside the mouth. This creates a breeding ground for infection to move in and take the tooth hostage. A bacteria known as plaque forms on the tooth from a mixture of saliva and sugary food particles left in the mouth. This plaque forms into an acid. The acid slowly tears away at teeth enamel leaving a decayed hole.

Children, specifically babies, are considered a high risk group for tooth decay. This is due to a practice of putting the baby to sleep at night with a bottle of sugary, sweet liquids. When a bottle contains liquids such as milk, formula, fruit juice and sugar water, it becomes a breading ground for bacteria. When this bottle is given to a baby before sleep, the sugar content of the liquids wash over the inside of the mouth. This causes bacteria to use the sugar content in producing an acid. As with adult tooth decay, the acidy substance slowly attacks the baby teeth. Significant damage is caused to the upper set of teeth as this is where the liquid collects while a baby sleeps.

In adults, plaque, sugar and an exposed tooth surface is all that tooth decay needs to move in. Simple sugars of glucose, sucrose and lactose are common tooth enemies that develop into lactic acids. Left untreated, this acid builds up on the tooth surface over time. Eventually the enamel is weakened and cavities are created in open holes. The decay continues to move inward on the tooth, spreading as it goes. It is then that the tooth becomes sensitive to cold and other temporal changes. The end result is a toothache, once the decay has proceeded through the entire tooth surface.

The treatment of tooth decay begins with the dentist removing the area of decayed tooth. The next step is reshaping the tooth and preparing it for treatment. The open hole is then filled using a composite resin mixture. Traditional dentistry calls for the use of metal amalgam fillings. In holistic dentistry, there is an understanding that the placement of metal into the mouth can further

compromise the body’s immune system. This occurs by the metal absorbing into the tissues and cells of the mouth. Treating patients through the use of non toxic restorative materials, a holistic dentist opts for the composite resin filling.

In the area of baby bottle tooth decay, the first step is assessing the extent of the decay. If caught in the early stages, the course of treatment will begin with fluoride. Accompanied with a change in feeding habits, the tooth decay should be treated fairly easily. Although primary teeth with decay need to be treated, fillings are not usually a viable option for young children. When the tooth decay has advanced to the pulp of the tooth, the logical option is extraction of the tooth. This solves the tooth decay problem but leaves a child vulnerable for spatial shifting of the teeth. A developmental delay in speech and food chewing may also occur.

When caught in time, adult tooth decay can be treated with minimal amounts of pain and inconvenience. Decay that has reached the pulp area can be treated with a course of antibiotics as opposed to immediate root canals or extraction. The longer decay is left untreated, the more difficult it becomes to repair. As time passes, the decay becomes more damaging and the treatment needs become more invasive. Holistic dentistry aims to utilize non invasive measure in treating tooth decay. For this reason, a holistic dentist will stress the important of maintaining a healthy oral hygiene regiment from the start.

The four main components of tooth decay prevention are: proper oral hygiene, the use of fluoride, sealants and proper nutritional diet. Tooth decay naturally occurs in the hard-to-reach spaces in the mouth. Therefore, it is essential to maintain a proper tooth brushing regiment. Ideally, a person should brush after every meal and snack. At the very least, tooth brushing should occur twice a day. An effective brushing regiment will clean the outer, inner and chewing surfaces of the teeth. The tongue should also be cleaned to loosen bacteria and freshen breathe.

Maintaining a health nutritional diet is essential in preventing tooth decay. Avoid foods high in sugars and starches. These promote tooth decay by becoming breading ground for cavity formation. If these foods are consumed, brush immediately after eating. This lessens the chance that acid build up will occur. Stick to a diet of fruits, vegetables and whole grain, natural foods. Sugary, sweetened foods and snacks should be limited as well.

Tooth decay is a dental problem with perhaps the easiest solution. A simple change in lifestyle, adhering to a good oral hygiene regiment and proper diet can eliminate the risk of tooth decay. Holistic dentistry advocates following these basic principles for good oral health. When oral health is in line, then personal whole body health will be in line. There will less chance of infection, illness or disease permeating the body if the first line of defense, mouth and teeth, are constantly standing guard against decay.