Sommaire de l'article+
A cavity is painful and feared by everyone. Although tooth decay is much rarer today than it was a few decades ago, many people are still affected by this condition.
It is therefore particularly useful to learn more about cavities so you know how they develop, how to recognize them and how to prevent them, avoiding the need to treat this condition.
What is tooth decay?
A cavity is a dental disease. Its causes include bacteria found in plaque, sugary foods and poor oral hygiene. The disease damages the teeth, can be painful and may even lead to tooth loss.
The condition is much rarer today than it was a few decades ago. The main reasons are that more and more people now use fluoride toothpaste and overall oral hygiene has also improved. There are therefore effective ways to keep your teeth clean and healthy and prevent tooth decay.
What are the symptoms of tooth decay?
In cases of tooth decay, whitish or brownish spots initially appear on the teeth. As the condition progresses, holes appear on the surface of the tooth. If the deeper layers of the tooth are affected, the disease also damages the nerves and tooth roots. Tooth decay makes teeth sensitive and painful, especially when consuming cold or sugary foods and drinks. Tooth decay can damage teeth so severely that they need to be removed and replaced with a bridge or implant, for example.
Rejoignez le club !
Obtenez des conseils personnalisés pour une meilleure hygiène dentaire
What causes tooth decay?
Tooth decay generally occurs when three factors combine: excess plaque, frequent sugar consumption and poor oral hygiene.
Dental plaque covers the teeth like a film. It may feel sticky to the touch and is made up of bacteria, saliva and food debris.
Bacteria on the surface of the teeth feed on food debris and the sugar it contains. This creates acid that attacks tooth enamel. If the teeth are not cleaned or treated, the acid can gradually destroy them. Cavity-causing bacteria can be transmitted through saliva.
Children are particularly prone to tooth decay because the enamel of baby teeth is more sensitive than that of permanent teeth. Tooth decay puts baby teeth at risk when a child eats or drinks a lot of sugary foods and drinks. In addition, brushing babies' or young children's teeth is not always easy. The risk of tooth decay also increases when young children regularly drink sugary beverages.
Your child can try the Y-Brush toothbrush to help prevent cavities. The Y-Brush toothbrush offers 3 sonic vibration modes, including an intensive cycle that cleans debris between the teeth much faster, such as sugar left after eating candy.
How can you prevent tooth decay?
Children and adults can reduce their risk of tooth decay by regularly brushing their teeth with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a substance that strengthens tooth enamel and therefore protects against cavities. Brushing also removes plaque containing bacteria and acids. It is recommended to brush your teeth at least twice a day after meals.
Dentists recommend using fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first baby tooth appears. Pediatricians, on the other hand, often recommend giving infants fluoride daily in the form of tablets or drops. The teeth should then be brushed with only a small amount of fluoride-free toothpaste. However, fluoride can have side effects, so you must pay attention to the amounts you give your child and carefully follow the recommended dosage.
Diet is also very important: people who eat low-sugar foods have a lower risk of tooth decay. In addition to candy and soda, fruit juices and ketchup, for example, also contain a lot of sugar.
You can also simply brush your teeth with a toothbrush that removes as much plaque as possible. This toothbrush could, for example, be the Y-Brush toothbrush. In fact, it removes 15% more plaque than a traditional toothbrush.
How is tooth decay diagnosed?
Regular dental checkups are useful and recommended. They help detect and treat tooth decay at an early stage.
Dentists generally identify tooth decay by carefully examining the teeth. In addition, an X-ray may be taken to assess how far the decay has progressed. An X-ray can also help determine the exact location of the cavity, for example, to check between the teeth or under fillings.
As a general rule, if tooth decay is not detected by a dentist, we detect it ourselves when we experience toothache or sudden sensitivity in that area.
You can also try brushing your teeth with the Nylon Y-Brush toothbrush, which is much more effective than silicone. This will help you determine whether your teeth hurt during brushing and begin removing excess tartar from your teeth.
How is tooth decay treated?
The onset of tooth decay can be recognized by white or brown spots on the teeth. At this early stage, it may be enough to brush your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste. People affected may also have fluoride applied to their teeth if prescribed by a dentist.
If a cavity has already formed, it must be drilled and then filled. The filling may be made of plastic (composite), ceramic or metal. More severely damaged teeth can be preserved with a partial or full crown. Root canal treatment is generally recommended if the dental nerves are affected.
Sometimes, tooth decay makes it necessary to remove a tooth. It can then be replaced later with a bridge or a dental implant with a fixed prosthesis.
In addition to these tooth decay treatments, new procedures are available that, in some cases, no longer require drilling. This includes what is known as caries infiltration, which can be used when tooth decay is detected early. With this method, the tooth is strengthened with plastic.
In addition to your treatment, you can choose a brushing pack that will help you organize your toothbrushing routine more effectively and therefore help cavities disappear much faster. The Y-Brush brushing pack is recommended by dentists and clinically validated. The Y-Brush toothbrush included in the All Inclusive pack is flexible. It is easy to insert into the mouth, making the back-and-forth brushing movement easier.
