If a person has rotten teeth, he looks unhealthy, not to mention his appearance. Usually, this process is accompanied by bad breath and gradual destruction of teeth.
This process can last for years, and eventually the patient may lose most of his teeth. In addition, there can be serious complications and inflammation, such as flux.
Why people’s teeth rot, and how to prevent it.
Caries as the main cause of tooth decay and its stages
The most common cause of tooth decay is caries.
Tooth decay causes plaque, which is a sticky, colorless film that forms on the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria, and when that bacteria mixes with sugar in food, it creates acid that eats away at the tooth.
If you don’t clean your teeth from sugar and starch, bacteria quickly begin to feed on them and form plaque. Plaque that remains on your teeth can harden below or above the gum line and form tartar. Tartar makes it difficult to remove plaque and creates a kind of shield for bacteria.
Bacterial acids remove minerals from the hard outer enamel of the tooth. As a result of this erosion, tiny holes appear in the tooth enamel. This is the first stage of caries.
At the second stage, decay of the enamel is already observed. If the process of tooth decay continues, the enamel will break down further. You may notice that the white spot on the tooth darkens and turns brown. As the enamel weakens, holes can form in the teeth.
The third stage: decay of dentin. Dentin is the tissue that is under the enamel. Dentin is softer than enamel, making it more susceptible to acid damage. Because of this, the disease spreads more quickly when it reaches the dentin. Dentin also contains tubes that lead to the nerves of the tooth. When the dentin is affected by caries, the tooth becomes sensitive to cold and hot.
In the fourth stage, the inner layer of the tooth – the pulp – is damaged. The pulp contains nerves and blood vessels that help keep the tooth healthy. When the pulp is damaged, it can become irritated and swollen. Because the tissues surrounding the tooth cannot expand to accommodate this swelling, pressure can be placed on the nerves. This is what causes pain.
At the fifth stage, an abscess begins. As tooth decay progresses into the pulp, bacteria can spread and cause infection. Abscesses of the teeth can cause severe pain that can radiate into the jaw. There may also be swelling of the gums, face or jaw, fever, and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. A tooth abscess requires immediate treatment because the infection can spread to the jaw bones as well as other areas of the head and neck.
With advanced caries, the tooth can be completely destroyed, leaving only the roots. Affected teeth and roots that remain are chronic foci of inflammation and infection.
What symptoms should be paid attention to in order to prevent tooth decay
A certain period of caries can occur without symptoms, so it is important to visit the dentist regularly. A dentist can detect and treat caries in time to stop further tooth decay.
Otherwise, the cavity in the tooth may increase and gradually affect the deeper layers of the tooth.
In the late stages of caries, there may be the following symptoms:
- toothache;
- sensitivity to hot or cold;
- brown, black or white spots on the tooth;
- bad breath;
- edema.
Tooth decay is not only a problem for adults, babies, toddlers and children can also have tooth decay. Symptoms in children are generally the same as in adults, but may also include swollen gums, irritability, and fever, indicating infection.
If your child seems irritable but can’t pinpoint the exact location of the pain or discomfort, check their mouth for signs of a problem.
Causes of tooth decay
If a person does not brush his teeth and does not visit the dentist regularly, he has a high risk of developing caries.
Also, eating a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates can contribute to tooth decay because these foods stick to the teeth. Sugar also feeds bacteria, and the more bacteria in the mouth, the more acid there is. If you eat a lot of sugary foods and don’t brush your teeth regularly, tooth enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth, will break down faster.
The consumption of a large amount of acidic drinks (carbonated water and juices) has a similar effect. The acid in drinks can slowly dissolve tooth enamel.
Patients with acid reflux, in which stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus and mouth, can also erode tooth enamel, are at high risk of tooth decay and tooth decay.
Anorexia and bulimia can also lead to tooth erosion, tooth decay and decay. Stomach acid from repeated vomiting, called purging, washes away the teeth and begins to erode the enamel. Eating disorders can also interfere with saliva production. And if the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to wash away plaque and bacteria in the mouth, the risk of tooth decay and tooth decay increases.
Tooth decay is also facilitated by an insufficient amount of such a substance as fluorine in the body. Fluoride strengthens tooth enamel, making it resistant to caries. That is why experts recommend brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste and drinking water that contains fluoride.
In young children, tooth decay can cause them to fall asleep with a bottle of milk, juice, or formula in their mouth, as well as with a pacifier dipped in sugar or honey by their parents. In both cases, sugar can accumulate around the teeth and lead to cavities.
Most often, caries occurs on the back teeth – canines and premolars. These teeth have many grooves, pits, and cracks, as well as several roots that can collect food particles. This is why they are more difficult to keep clean than the easily accessible front teeth.
Elderly people are at greater risk of caries development. Over time, teeth can wear down and gums recede, which increases the likelihood of tooth decay. Older people may also use more medications that reduce saliva production, which increases the risk of tooth decay.
Treatment of rotten teeth
Treatment of rotten teeth is usually the same for both children and adults. The goal of treatment is primarily to save the tooth. The earlier a person consults a doctor, the more chances there are to save the tooth.
In the early stages of tooth decay (minor caries), the dentist can perform fluoride treatment to strengthen or remineralize the tooth enamel, which can stop the development of caries. However, this method only works for small cavities and is not effective if there are other signs of decay, such as dark or white spots on the tooth and bad breath.
If fluoride treatment is not possible, the dentist may remove the affected parts of the tooth and place a filling to repair the defect in the tooth.
In the later stages, root canal treatment and even nerve removal may be necessary.
If the tooth is so damaged that it cannot be saved, the dentist may remove it.
Why can a tooth rot under a crown or filling
Over the years, dental structures can weaken, begin to crumble or have rough edges. Because of this, plaque forms more easily and is more difficult to remove.
Dental appliances can no longer fit well, and the process of decay can begin under them.
Also, changes in the tooth under the crown are associated with a violation of its manufacturing technology. If the edges of the crown are not tightly attached to the tissues of the tooth, plaque begins to accumulate in that area, in which microorganisms multiply, which leads to inflammation of the gums.
In addition, carious tissues may not be completely removed. Then the tooth under the crown will continue to decay.
Non-carious causes of tooth decay
Tooth disease can occur not only with a lack of fluorine, but also with its excess. In this case, the patient may develop fluorosis. With a severe form of this disease, a person’s teeth can be destroyed. Pits, bumps, and erosions form on the enamel.
Also, tooth damage can be associated with hypoplasia (damage to the enamel structure), which occurs in children with allergies, after rickets and some infectious diseases.
Acid necrosis is another type of non-carious damage to teeth. It occurs in people who work in the harmful production of various acids and in patients who take drugs containing acids. As a result of such pathologies, the front teeth are destroyed and look rotten.
Smoking also contributes to tooth decay. Hot cigarette smoke, which contains caustic poisonous substances, destroys the surface layer of enamel. The teeth acquire an unnatural yellow shade, are covered with plaque. Multiple microcracks form on them, where bacteria penetrate and begin to destroy dentin.
Tips for protecting your teeth
- Limit snacks between meals. This will reduce the number of acid attacks on the teeth and give the teeth a chance to recover.
- Do not abuse sweet food.
- Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day.
- Do not eat or drink anything with sugar after brushing your teeth before going to bed. The flow of saliva decreases during sleep, and without sufficient saliva, teeth are less able to recover from acid.
- Give up smoking.
- Be sure to visit the dentist to prevent tooth decay and prevent complications.