HOW TOOTH CAVITY FORMS
1. Plaque forms. Dental plaque is a clear sticky film that coats your teeth. Its due to food especially sugar and starch that is not cleaned properly. Bacteria begin to accumulate and feed on the food debris causing plaque. Plaque that stays on your teeth can harden under or above your gum line into tartar
(calculus). Tartar makes plaque more difficult to remove and creates a shield for bacteria.
2. Plaque attacks. The acids in plaque remove minerals in your tooth's hard, outer enamel. This will create a hole on the tooth surface. It will go into the second layer which is the dentin. Dentin has tiny tubes that directly communicate with the nerve of the tooth causing sensitivity.
3. Destruction continues. As tooth decay develops, the bacteria and acid continue moving to the inner tooth material (pulp) that contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp becomes swollen and irritated from the bacteria. Because there is no place for the swelling to expand inside of a tooth, the nerve becomes pressed, causing pain.
HOW TO PREVENT IT
Brush and floss daily
● This will help to reduce the amount of dental plaque and bacteria in your mouth
● Preferably brush 3o minutes after each meal
Use of fluoride toothpaste
● Fluoride helps to harden tooth enamel and reduces your risk of decay
Use mouthwash
● Using antibacterial mouth rinse to reduce the levels of bacteria that causes cavities
● Rinse with antiseptic mouthwash which can help to kill bacteria that cause
dental plaque.
Avoid frequent snacking
● Food acids soften tooth material and dissolve the mineral in tooth enamel
● Bacteria in dental plaque change sugar into acids
● Frequent snacking causes constant acidic attack from bacteria on your tooth
Want to know more about your teeth, feel free to visit us at Smileway Dental Clinic Setapak and USJ. Here we provide dental treatment in a comfortable way because we create smiles that matters.
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