Prevention Is The Best Medicine

​Teeth are subject to decay and damage, and sometimes they get ruined in one go. But more often, there are signs that something bad is going to happen well before tooth decay sets in. Learn what these signs are and prevent tooth decay (or dental caries) from ruining your teeth with a few easy steps.

Early signs of tooth decay

White spot lesions or demineralised zones are early signs of tooth decay. These are white splotches on the teeth that are whiter than the rest of the teeth and the surface of the tooth enamel is more brittle and thinner in these areas. These spots mean that the enamel is being dissolved, and these white spots will become dental caries soon enough unless you do something about it.

A little bit of fluoride ointment for a few weeks ought to do the trick, but foams and gels are also available that can replenish the tooth enamel in the given area, preventing tooth decay.

Before a cavity becomes a cavity, it is first a small yellow or brownish stain on the tooth. This is actually no stain at all, but the decayed bit of tooth enamel that is already dead. If you see these on your teeth, go to a dentist as soon as you can, because this means that the bacteria are destroying your teeth, and these little spots will become deeper and deeper as the enamel is worn out. The dentist will clean the area and apply a little bit of fluoride, or if the damage is extensive enough, then they will just apply a little bit of composite resin tooth filling material to the area, thus closing the gap before it becomes a real cavity.

Tartar and plaque build ups will also cause cavities to form underneath them, as the bacteria that live in these formations cause tooth decay.  

Check-ups and hygiene sessions as prevention of tooth decay

The best way to prevent tooth decay is to go to your half-year check-ups and to get a nice deep cleaning session when you are there. This will remove all of the gunk from between your teeth and under your gum line, where you cannot reach even with the most rigorous at-home oral cleaning routine. This is by far the cheapest and easiest way to treat your teeth right and is absolutely mandatory if you wish to live a life free of tooth decay.