Our oral health signals the overall health of our body. Your mouth is a hub and entry point for bacteria into your digestive and respiratory systems. These bacteria may not only find their way into your system but also harm your gums and teeth. Hence, it is imperative to maintain good dental health to prevent cavities.
This article discusses the importance of good dental hygiene and the best tips to prevent cavities.
Why is dental health important?
It is essential to maintain good oral and dental health by flossing, brushing, and cleaning your mouth to prevent contracting illness of gum, cavities and tooth decay. Maintaining dental health ensures good mouth hygiene and prevents bacteria from entering your system.
Some of the common causes of dental cavities are:
- Plaque
- Gum disease
- Not cleaning teeth daily
- Eating sugary products
- Grinding and clenching of teeth
What foods cause Cavities?
Foods that contain sugar tend to be the main reason for cavities. The food combines with the bacteria in the mouth that breaks down the food into sugar. Later on, the acid dissolves into the surface and leads to cavities.
Some of the common food which causes cavities to include:
- Processed foods
- Sweets and chocolates
- Ice Cream
- Coffee/Tea
- Alcohol
- Cigarettes
- Jams
- Sauces and syrups
- Canned fruit syrups
- Flavoured yogurts and milk
- Chips
What are the Symptoms of Cavities?
- Tooth Sensitivity to heat or cold
- Spots or Holes on Teeth
- Tooth Pain while you bite something
- Bad Breath
What are the important tips to prevent Cavities?
How do you keep your teeth away from cavities? Following proper oral and dental hygiene is imperative to prevent cavities. Here are a few tips to maintain dental hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice a day after every meal.
- Use toothpaste that contains fluoride.
- Rinse your teeth with dental floss and use an excellent soft toothbrush
- Use a good mouthwash containing antiseptic ingredients to kill bacteria that lead to plaque
- Avoid including too much candy and chips in your diet that get stuck in the teeth
- Take the advice of your dentist to include dental sealants that are applied on the chewing surface called molars to protect it from decay
- Make a routine visit to a dentist for regular cleaning and oral examinations.
Why should you treat Dental Cavities?
Cavities are a sign of your tooth being affected by bacteria that convert carbohydrates in foods like bread, milk, fruits, soda, etc., into acids. The mouth contains bacteria that live and help in digestion. However, when the bacteria, saliva, acid and food debris combine, it forms plaque. The plaque dissolves the enamel and creates holes called cavities.
Why do Cavities need to be treated immediately?
Untreated cavities tend to grow larger and affect the deeper layers of the tooth. These can cause infections and severe toothache, eventually leading to tooth loss. Hence, it is necessary to get the cavities treated immediately.
How Dental Professionals and Specialists Can Help Your Dental Health?
Dental professionals and specialists help diagnose and treat diseases related to oral and dental health. They are experts in identifying dental irregularities and treating cavities and injuries in and around the teeth and mouth.
If you are facing issues of cavities, toothache or infections, then immediately consult any dental health professionals.
Dental health professionals include:
- Dentist – A dentist is a dental surgeon specialising in diagnosing, preventing, and treating dental illness.
- Dental Hygienist – A dental hygienist examines oral issues like gingivitis and advises maintaining oral hygiene.
Dental specialists:
- Restorative Dentistry Specialist– A restorative dentistry specialist helps repair and replace damaged teeth to improve oral health.
- Orthodontist – An orthodontist manages specific dental issues such as treating misalignments and irregularity of teeth.
Tooth Cavities: Diagnosis and Treatments
Dental specialists may use different techniques to identify tooth cavities and detect decay.
These include:
- Examining the teeth and mouth condition
- Testing the tooth for sensitivity
- Checking the dental X-rays to identify the level of decay and cavities in teeth
Based on the level of the cavity, the dentist may suggest treatment as follows:
- Fillings: The dentist may perform restorations to cover the decay. The fillings are made of materials like porcelain, tooth-coloured composite resins, and dental amalgam.
- Fluoride treatment: This includes restoring the enamel to reverse the cavity. It may also involve treating with gel, liquid, varnish, or foam.
- Root Canals: If the decay is severe and reaches the inner region, the dentist may suggest a root canal to repair the infected area or tooth pulp that is damaged. It is later replaced by filling.
- Crowns: If the decay is extensive and has almost weakened your teeth, you will need a crown. The process includes drilling into the decayed region and fitting it with a crown made of porcelain or porcelain fused metal, gold, or resins.
- Extraction: If the tooth is severely damaged without a possibility of restoration, then the dentist may suggest extracting it out to the roots to prevent getting affected.
Allevia Medical Center is a well-renowned dental hospital in Qatar known for having professional and the best dentist in Qatar on board who possess years of expertise in the field. Apart from assisting in resolving all dental-related issues, regular cleanings, and checkups, they possess the knowledge to catch any underlying problem through appropriate diagnosis and provide the best treatment.
Conclusion:
Are you experiencing pain in your teeth or has it turned sensitive? Then it is recommended to get your appointment booked with a dental specialist immediately. In addition, ensure to convey all other details such as underlying allergies, medications, and much more to the dentist to ensure proper treatment and relief.
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