Tooth decay is a problem that attacks the dental hard tissues and spread through gums and mouth only to cause you more pain and discomfort. From plaque to tartar to various gum diseases; tooth decay comes in all forms and sizes. It mainly destroys the enamel layer on the outer surface of the teeth and as its severity level increases, it causes destruction of the dentin beneath the enamel thus causing you to suffer from a host of gum and teeth related problems. But don’t just fret reading about it. Proper oral care can reduce the risk of tooth decay and prevent oral problems provided you follow a strict and regular regime.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay is the scientific term for ‘dental caries’ and is also known as cavity, tooth cavity or dental cavity. When bacteria starts producing acid that feasts upon the outer layer of the teeth, it starts to decay and creates a hole in the tooth. This is among the first signs of tooth decay and if not treated in time the problem can reach the dental pulp, where the nerve and blood vessels are located, and cause your teeth and mouth some severe damage.

Tooth Structure

Knowing the tooth structure will help you to understand how a tooth is targeted and how the decay happens. It will also give you a better understanding of the progress of the tooth decay stages and what exactly happens to your teeth when tooth decay strikes. Human teeth have two structures:

1. Internal structure

It includes four parts: a) Pulp- It is the inner part of the tooth and has nerves and blood vessels b) Dentin- It is the layer that covers the pulp c) Enamel- It is the hard layer that protects the outermost layer of the crown d) Cementum- It is the hard layer that surrounds the dentin of root

2. External structure

It includes two parts: a) Crown- It is the area above the gums and easily visible b) Root- It remains invisible to the naked eye and is covered by the gums

Stages of tooth decay

Tooth decay stages are influenced by what causes tooth decay. Following are the 5 tooth decay stages that you must know of in order to be able to stop them in the track as and when they occur.

1. First stage-

Tiny white or yellow spots In this stage, tiny white or yellow spots appear on the tooth’s surface. This happens because of calcium loss. With proper oral care and hygiene, the damage is reversible.

2. Second stage-

Enamel starts to decay In this stage, with the surface intact, the tooth enamel starts breaking under the surface layer. If the damage continues, it can severely affect the tooth. As part of the treatment, the tooth needs cleaning, filling, and crown etc. that can easily be done with the help of a dentist.

3. Third stage-

Dentin starts to decay In this stage, dentin starts to decay and the damage progresses beyond enamel. As the decay moves to next stage, pain becomes intense as well.

4. Fourth stage-

Tooth pulp gets affected In this stage, tooth’s pulp is affected and infected because of the bacteria. It can lead to the formation of pus. Blood vessels and nerves of the pulp get attacked. At this point, undergoing root canal therapy is the only choice.

5. Fifth stage-

Abscess is formed In this stage, the infection enters the tooth’s root. In this final tooth decay stage, severe pain is experienced and swelling can travel to the cheek of the affected side.

What causes tooth decay?

Among the many reasons for tooth decay, a diet high in sugar and its related substitutes is one of the major reasons. When you eat foods rich in sugar content you basically end up feeding plaque that can cause problem in the mouth. The sugary and sticky food items left behind in the mouth make it difficult for the saliva to wash them away thus causing them to stay behind and cause the problem of tooth decay. While sugar is among one of the causes of tooth decay, others include:

1. Irregular brushing:

Always maintain a proper oral health care regime. Brushing regularly with herbal yet effective toothpaste like Dabur Red Paste - Ayurvedic Toothpaste with strengthen your teeth and gums from the root while protecting it from problems of plaque, tartar, decay, and bad breath etc.

2. Dry mouth:

We need sufficient saliva in our mouths to wash away any food debris and reduce plaque. If the mouth is left dry, it can easily become the breeding ground for gum related problems and diseases. When the problem of dry mouth persist, eating and chewing can become difficult. To avoid the problem things like drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum and avoiding intake of alcohol and tobacco are highly recommended.

3.Dehydration:

The first sign of dry mouth is dehydration. Failure to drink enough liquids is a major cause of people suffering from the problem of dehydration. A mouth that does not produce enough saliva becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria thus giving a strong ground for problems of bad breath and other infections like cavities and gingivitis to find their way into your mouth.

4. Smoking:

It leads to building up of plaque and tartar on the teeth. Smoking is also one of the reasons for smokers having patchy or yellow teeth. If you wish to keep your teeth and smile intact, immediately stop smoking. Also always remember to brush your teeth with toothpaste that will not only prevent yellowing of your teeth but also give you an awesome mouth feel. Dabur Meswak is made from pure extracts of Miswak tree and is scientifically proven to reduce the symptoms of tooth decay and make gums healthy and strong.

5. Diabetes:

It can cause the tooth enamel to break down and eventually expose your teeth to the problems of cavity and decay. Need more home remedies on tooth decay? Keep following our blog. Maintain proper oral hygiene and choose the right toothpaste to keep all dental problems away & ensure proper dental care.

Maintaining proper oral care and using the right toothpaste plays a vital role in keeping tooth problems such as plaque, cavities, tartar and tooth pain away. Visit our blog to know more about dental care and prevention of dental problems to keep teeth strong and healthy. Also try out home remedies for toothache to get quick pain relief.