Cavities affect people of all ages. Tooth decays are holes in the teeth caused by oral acid erosion of tooth enamel. Toothaches, infections, and tooth extractions can result from untreated cavities. Dental hygiene practices, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups, can prevent tooth decay.
How Plaque Damages Teeth
Dental plaque is a film that bacteria in the mouth develop on the teeth. When you eat snacks and drinks heavy in carbohydrates, especially sugary foods and beverages, the bacteria in plaque convert the carbohydrates into the energy they require while making acid. Cavities may develop if the plaque is not eliminated because the acid may erode the tooth's enamel. Plaque and germs can enter the dentinal tubules once cavities or holes have formed in the enamel. Tooth decay occurs more quickly due to the dentine's weakened state compared to the enamel. Bacteria will invade the tooth's pulp, which houses nerves and blood vessels, if untreated. The bacterias attack the nerves and cause toothaches. The bacteria can create a tooth abscess in the pulp. The infection could move into the bone and result in another sort of abscess.
How To Prevent Tooth Decay
Maintaining the healthiest possible teeth and gums is the strongest defence against tooth decay. Even while tooth decay is a common issue, it is sometimes totally preventable. Here are some practical tips to prevent tooth decay.
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Regular dental Check-ups: Depending on the condition of your mouth, teeth, and gums, the dentist will determine how frequently you need to be seen.
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Change your eating habits and consume less sugar: Simply changing your diet can stop tooth decay. You can strengthen your bones and teeth by consuming calcium-rich foods like milk, broccoli rabe, and collard greens. Avoid eating carbonated beverages as they increase the risk of cavities by causing excessive plaque and tartar buildup.
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Brush your teeth at least twice a day and thoroughly clean all the surfaces, grooves, pockets, and corners of your teeth while brushing.
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Flossing: you can get rid of any leftover food that may be stuck between your gums and stop the growth of bacteria.
Is Dental Amalgam Safe?
Copper, tin, silver, and mercury are the main metals that make up dental amalgam. Some people are concerned about the product's environmental and health effects because it contains mercury.
When the kind of mercury used in dental amalgam is combined with other metals, it creates a solid substance that is difficult to decompose. The US Food and Drug Administration determined dental amalgam treatments are safe for adults and children six and older after analyzing numerous scientific studies.
Dental Amalgam Advantages
Despite not being the only filling material available, dental amalgam has benefits over alternatives like tooth-coloured fillings.
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Compared to tooth-coloured fillings, dental amalgam is simpler to put. To place tooth-coloured fillings, the dentist's workspace must be completely dry. Children and others with special needs who may have problems staying still in the dental chair may find this difficult.
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Compared to tooth-coloured fillings, dental amalgam lasts longer. A study of numerous research revealed that tooth-coloured fillings might be rough and twice as likely to fail as dental amalgam fillings.
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Additionally, more lasting than tooth-coloured fillings is dental amalgam. Dental amalgam fillings are a solid option for repairing the chewing surfaces of back teeth due to their strength.
Dental Amalgam Disadvantages
If you're searching for a cost-effective way to treat dental decay or cavities, amalgam fillings are unquestionably worth considering. However, the filler substance has quite a few downsides that may make you think again.
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Teeth discolouration: Silver fillings that are amalgamated frequently tarnish with time. This is why most people only have them implanted at the back of their mouths.
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It might make teeth more sensitive: Many patients have mentioned that their teeth are more sensitive after obtaining amalgam fillings. According to scientific data, this might be caused by the metal's response to the mouth's fluctuating temperatures.
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It might make teeth brittle. The potential for amalgam fillings to weaken the tooth is also a serious worry. This typically occurs because the tooth's tissue must first be partially removed to place these fillings. This implies that the remaining teeth may sustain harm or weaken.
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Your teeth may become stained. The only forms of fillings that can stain the area around the teeth are amalgam ones, and it will take tooth stain removal to get rid of the stains. Since the dentist will need to remove the filling to clean the stains, the stain removal technique is also more difficult. Therefore, if you subsequently decide to pursue restorative dental options (such as tooth whitening), you might want to think again about obtaining these fillings.
Conclusion
The best way to protect your mouth from tooth decay is to practice good oral care at home. Eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, and chew only sugar-free gum. Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily to keep your smile healthy and strong.
