Facts about Tooth Decay
In today’s society we are judged on how we look. If we do not look good then we must be failures. People are always looking for the next best products for their skin, hair and bodies. This obsession on how we look is blamed on TV advertising, celebrities and magazines. It goes without saying that the majority of people do look after their hair, skin, bodies and nails. One area that should be a priority that is often overlooked is dental hygiene. Regular dental hygiene is more important than just having white teeth.
Our experiences as children at the hands of the dentist often reflect how we care for our teeth in the future. I can remember the awful taste of the fluoride treatments my parents made me have. I always had regular check-ups, yet still my teeth have succumbed to decay. This is not because I looked after teeth as a child, but the fact that this care lapsed in later life. An addiction to anything sweet did not help either.
The main cause of tooth decay is bacteria. Bacteria in our mouth is caused by the food we eat, and if we do not brush our teeth regularly after food, then bacteria forms. There are many chemicals formed from the bacterial action in our mouths. There are around five hundred different chemicals formed and the most damaging one is acid. If this problem is not controlled then this can lead to cavities and in turn decay.
The name of this harmful bacteria is “Streptococcus Mutans”. The occurrence of decay does not happen overnight, it can take quite a long time as the outside layer of the tooth (enamel) is hard while the inside is soft. It can take years for the bacteria to attack and wear away the enamel, once this has happened the centre of the tooth is attacked and because of it’s texture succumbs to decay a lot quicker.
Dentists will tell you that the most common place for cavities to first appear is inbetween the teeth. The good news is that with proper care and attention this need not be the case. As well as brushing teeth, it is extremely important that we all floss. Flossing is the best way of removing food that has become trapped in the small gap between teeth.
Mouthwash is also an essential part of good dental hygiene. It has an anti-bacterial action as well as freshening breath. The anti-bacterial action fights the bacteria left in the mouth after brushing and flossing, further reducing the chances of decay. Some people do not like the taste of mouthwash but there is such a large choice that there is something to suit everyone’s taste.
Avoiding tooth decay can be quite simple, just try to avoid all the culprits. Try to remove as much sugar from ones diet as possible, not forgetting that a lot of foods have hidden sugars. Do not take fluoride tablets as it is present in most water supplies, and also in found in toothpaste. Too much fluoride can be as harmful as too little. Don’t smoke as this has been found to increase the risks of tooth decay. Last but not least, not brushing and flossing teeth are the main contributors to cavities.
If we all followed these guidelines and looked after our teeth properly then our chances of cavities are greatly reduced. We must not forget the other effects of bad dental hygiene, bad breath, pain, discomfort and gum disease.
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