Some people may think that tooth decay is normally confined to small children because of the habits that they maintain when they are young. From eating lots of candies to not brushing properly, the habits formed by kids early on can cause tooth decay to be a big problem for themselves and their parents.
Many adults deal have the same bad habits kids have or never get rid of their old ones when they were kids. Whatever the scenario, these problems can be resolved with a relatively small amount of dental education and an ounce of prevention.
What is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay can be described as a gradual decaying process that results in small or large cavities. It normally occurs when the bacteria in the mouth generates acids that eat away at the individual’s teeth until there is a hole. When it is left untreated, the decay in the tooth can cause an insurmountable amount of pain, tooth loss and infection.
Identifying the Causes
To keep tooth decay from occurring, one of the first things that any individual should be aware of is the actual causes of tooth decay. This information should be explained to both children and adults if a prevention plan is going to be effective.
Unfortunately, tooth decay is considered to be a staple in children and adults of all ages. This is because it is a common problem that is directly associated with the types of foods that most people eat. When combining these foods with a certain kind of bacteria, it forms plaque on the tooth’s enamel and gums.
It is often described as a sticky and clear substance. Once the plaque forms, it begins to eat away at the enamel on the teeth and causes the tooth to decay.
How to Recognize Tooth Decay Problems
Most individuals may not recognize its occurrence until the damage is done since it can be the source of a lot of dental pain. When the damage is more severe, it can also involve an infection.
Another way to identify these problems is to make regular dental check-ups since this is a normal part of a dental exam. Dentists will normally take X-rays of the teeth and mouth to see if there are any problems that need to be corrected.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay
Tooth decay can be very painful. However, there are ways to prevent these problems from occurring. Some of the best recommendations involve brushing properly and as recommended, limiting the amount of sweets consumed, flossing and making regular visits to the dentist.