What Causes Tooth Decay & Is It Possible to Stop It?

Tooth decay is painful and can lead to tooth loss, but the great news is that it’s completely preventable. There are quite a few potential causes of tooth decay, but also plenty of different preventative measures and treatments, including one that we’re proud to offer here at Springhurst Hills Dentistry.

What Causes Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay occurs when plaque and bacteria eat away at the enamel, or top layer, of your teeth, causing pain, sensitivity, and bad breath. It can be hard to chew, talk, or smile with advanced tooth decay.

The leading cause of tooth decay is poor oral hygiene, since that is the main reason why plaque and bacteria growth becomes out of control in the first place. This can be caused by poor diet that is high in sugars and starches, lack of brushing and flossing, certain medications, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and severe dental injures like chips or cracks.

Identifying Tooth Decay

If you have severe pain, swelling, bleeding, and/or dark teeth, you are probably experiencing tooth decay. It’s important to see a dentist as soon as possible to prevent any infection from spreading or developing into an abscess.

Stopping Decay

While maintaining proper oral hygiene and a healthy, balanced diet are great ways to make sure you don’t develop tooth decay, but there is another way to stop it in its tracks: dental sealants. Usually applied to molars and premolars, sealants are made of a synthetic resin material that fill the hard-to-clean grooves in teeth and act as a barrier to prevent food particles from getting trapped in them. The result is a simple, non-invasive way to keep teeth bacteria and decay-free. Sealants are popular with children and have helped prevent tooth loss for kids.

Protect your teeth from decay with simple dental sealants! Contact our office today to learn more and to schedule an appointment.

Posted on behalf of Dr. Lan Tran, Springhurst Hills Dentistry