Download PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY

PREVENTING TOOTH DECAY
Presented by:
Dr. Sanna Malhotra
Sunface Aesthetic and Medical Center
“The mouth is the gateway to the rest of the
body, a mirror of our overall well-being.”
Harold C. Slavkin, D.D.S.
Former Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, and Dean of the
University of Southern California School of Dentistry
WHAT IS TOOTH DECAY?
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Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or a cavity– is an infection, bacterial in origin
– causing demineralization and destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth
(enamel, dentin and cementum)
– It is a result of the production of acid by bacterial fermentation of food debris
accumulated on the tooth surface
– If demineralization exceeds saliva and other re-mineralization factors such as
from calcium and fluoridated toothpastes, these once hard tissues
progressively break down, producing dental caries.
Today, caries remains one of the most common diseases throughout the world
PROCESS OF DEMINERALIZATION AND
REMINERALIZATION
IDENTIFYING A TOOTH DECAY
Tooth decay usually doesn't cause symptoms until you have a cavity or an
infected tooth. When this happens, you may have:
• A toothache, which is the most common symptom.
• Swelling in your gums near a sore tooth. This can be a sign of severe
tooth decay or an abscessed tooth.
• Bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth.
• White, gray, brown, or black spots on your teeth.
WHAT CAUSES TOOTH DECAY?
• Poor oral hygiene
• Deep tooth crevices
• Improper nutrition- sugary foods and acidic
food
• Dry mouth
• Tooth grinding
• Genetics
• Age
PROCESS OF TOOTH DECAY
HEALTHY TOOTH
WHITE SPOTS
ENAMEL INVOLVEMENT
DENTIN INVOLVEMENT
PULP INVOLVEMENT
STAGES OF TOOTH DECAY
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO PREVENT
DECAY?
• Visit your dentist regularly for
check ups
• At each check-up your dentist
should:
– Examine your teeth, mouth and
gums
– Ask about your general health
and any problems you have had
with your teeth, mouth and
gums since your last visit
– Ask about and give advice on
your diet, tobacco and alcohol
consumption, and teethcleaning habits
BRUSHING
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day with
fluoride toothpaste- atleast 2 minutes in the
morning before breakfast and last thing at
night before you go to bed.
• However, do not brush your teeth for at least
30 minutes after a meal
• Important to replace your toothbrush on a
regular basis - Most toothbrushes need to be
replaced every two to three months.
• If you are considering buying an electric
toothbrush, studies have shown the most
effective type is one in which the head has a
rotating oscillation action – meaning the
head spins one way and then the other.
• As with manual toothbrushes, you need to
replace the head of your electric toothbrush
every two to three months.
FLOSSING & MOUTHWASH
• Flossing is an important part of oral
hygiene
• Removes plaque and food particles from
between your teeth and under the
gumline – areas a toothbrush can not
always reach
• You should clean between your teeth at
least once a day with floss.
• Mouthwash- Using dental mouthwash
that contains fluoride can also help
prevent tooth decay
• However, this should not be used directly
after tooth brushing
• Choose a separate time to use
mouthwash, such as after lunch
• Do not eat or drink for 30 minutes after
using a fluoride mouthwash.
DIET
Avoid eating lots of food and drink high in fermented carbohydrates. This includes:
• fizzy drinks
• coffee and tea with sugar added
• chocolate
• sweets
• cakes
• crisps
• biscuits
• white bread
You should not avoid carbohydrates altogether, as they are an important part of a balanced
diet. But try and choose the type of carbohydrates known as unrefined carbohydrates, as
bacteria finds it harder to break these down into acid.- wholemeal or brown bread, pasta,
rice, potatoes, leafy green vegetables, eggs
Healthier alternatives for snacks and drinks include:
• Cheese
• Fruit and vegetables
• Sugar-free gum
• Unsweetened tea, coffee
TREATMENT
• If your decay is in the early stages, your
dentist may apply a fluoride varnish to the
area. This can help to stop further decay,
particularly if you lower your intake of
sugar.
• If decay has worn away your enamel and
caused a cavity, your dentist will remove
the decay and restore your tooth with a
filling.
• There are a number of Filling materials in
the market:
– Amalgam
– Composite FILLINGS
TREATMENT
• If the nerve in the middle of your tooth is damaged, you will need a root
canal treatment, which removes the nerve and restores the tooth with a
filling or crown.
TREATMENT
• If the tooth is so badly damaged it cannot be
restored, the only option may be to remove it
and replace it with implants, bridges or
dentures.