Dentists are probably one of the specialized doctors with less work load, and that is because a lot of people do not see the reason to have a dental check up except something is obviously wrong with their teeth or gum. The most common problem that arises with the teeth is what is commonly known as tooth decay or dental caries.
Tooth decay occurs when a tooth is destroyed by the bacteria leftover from food particles in the mouth. These bacteria produce acid that causes demineralization of the tooth enamel, resulting in a tooth surface slowly breaking down till food particles find their way inside the tooth. Once a tooth has a hole, particles get in and produce more bacteria, leading to further decay of the tooth. By this time, there will be noticeable mild to severe pain, and possible swelling from the tooth.
This is the point where a lot of people visit their dentists for a fix up, and depending on the extent of the damage, the affected tooth may not need to be removed. Dentists usually perform an oral restoration procedure for a tooth with cavity, by flushing out the food particles and putting a temporary dressing that blocks food from getting into the tooth. After a couple of weeks, the dressing is removed, and if the tooth nerves have healed, a permanent filling will be placed on the tooth to prevent food getting in permanently. If the decay is too severe for a restoration, the tooth will have to be removed.
Dental caries cannot be reversed. This means that once your tooth has a hole, the structure of your tooth is lost and the tooth cannot become whole again without the help of a filling. This is why having healthy teeth is very important. You know what they say; prevention is better than cure. To prevent yourself from becoming a regular at the tooth extraction table due to your love for chocolates and sweets, here are four ways you can take care of your teeth.
Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
Tooth decay happens because food residue on the teeth is left long enough for it to break down into bacteria that causes acid. Brushing the second time in a day will help in washing away all the food residue that may have accumulated from the last time you brushed your teeth. Ensure that you take care in brushing the surface of your teeth, the part used for chewing, since that’s where most holes start from.
Rinse Your Mouth After Each Meal
It’s a good habit to rinse with water after a meal, or after taking anything high in carbohydrate. Carbohydrates are a leading cause of bacteria in the mouth. If you cannot find a tap to do that, swish your mouth with water to let loose all the food particles hiding in the corners of your mouth.
Floss Regularly
I always believed flossing is OCD behaviour, honestly. I never saw the point of it till I tried getting familiar with it. Use a floss to remove bits of meat, chicken, or other food particles stuck between your teeth. A floss is a good replacement for toothpicks, as the latter can pierce the gum and cause pain or infection.
Have A Check Up
Dentists recommend having a dental check up at least once a year. During this visit, your doctor can check if there is any tooth showing signs of decay and with this you can prevent further decay by having the doctor give your teeth a professional clean up.
The cost of visiting a dentist yearly, or brushing twice daily is very small compared to the financial and emotional cost of getting a tooth extraction.
About the author: Amina Salau is a writer and editor running The Illuminated Pen. You can find her online at www.theilluminatedpen.com and on Twitter (@_Aminah)