Most people have heard of tooth decay, and most of us know that it has something to do with sugar, but the actual process isn’t always so obvious. Decay isn’t a single event; it is something that develops quietly and sometimes quite slowly over time, usually without you even realising it. By the time you do feel any pain or discomfort in the tooth, things have usually moved further along than you would like it to have done.
At the Smile Dental Practice Croydon, it is not unusual to meet patients who are surprised to learn how tooth decay really works. The good news is that it can be treated, and even better, with the right care and attention, it can often be prevented from happening in the first place.
Plaque is where the trouble begins. This is a sticky film that coats your teeth and is full of bacteria. When those bacteria feed on sugary or starchy food, they release acids. That acid is the real culprit in that it softens and 'eats' into the enamel, the strong and protective outer layer of your tooth.
At first, you most likely won’t feel anything at all. Sometimes you might just notice a faint chalky mark on the enamel, but no pain at all. This is the window when we can still often reverse the process with fluoride and good brushing. If that chance slips by, a cavity will almost inevitably form.
Once a cavity forms, tooth decay tends to speed up. Underneath the enamel exterior lies the dentine part of the tooth which is softer and easier for bacteria to attack. This is often when you might notice some sensitivity in your teeth, especially when eating or drinking something hot or cold.
As the decay progresses, it may eventually reach the pulp in the centre of the tooth. That’s where the nerves and blood vessels are located. When this happens, pain can suddenly become sharp and very hard to ignore with infections and abscesses also following if nothing is done about it.
It might be tempting to put off a dentist visit if the pain fades or is relatively mild and perhaps manageable with painkillers, but decay won’t heal itself. Left alone, the cavity will get bigger, and the tooth may well weaken or break. However tempting it might be, you should always contact your local dentist at the earliest sign of any discomfort. Early treatment is likely to be less extensive and will usually preserve more of your natural tooth too.
The right treatment depends on how advanced things are:
We will always aim to preserve your natural teeth whenever possible at our Croydon dental clinic.
The truth is, most tooth decay can be avoided. Daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and keeping an eye on sugary snacks all go a long way to help to achieve this. Regular check-ups matter too, as they enable us to spot early signs long before you feel pain or discomfort, even minor discomfort. That’s when treatment is simplest and likely to be least invasive.
Tooth decay doesn’t happen overnight; it is a gradual process, with several points along the way where it can be stopped or treated. Understanding how it develops helps to clarify why prevention and early treatment are so important.
If you have noticed any sensitivity or discomfort at all, or if it has been a while since your last check-up, You should always ask us to investigate this for you. Catching decay early means less drilling, potentially less cost, and a generally better outcome. If you do need to have any treatment, we will guide you through the best options to get your smile back on track.
You can contact us for any oral health related questions or to arrange an appointment to see one of our dentists by calling the Smile Dental Practice Croydon on 020 8649 7911.
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