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Tooth Decay-Causes and Treatments

Feb. 14, 2007 -- Los Angeles ( L.A. ) and Beverly Hills Tooth Decay is an oral disease the affects almost all of us at some point in our lives. Also known as caries or cavities , decay is caused by natural bacteria that live in your form and form plaque.

This plaque interacts with any deposits left on your teeth by sugary or starchy foods to create acids, which dissolve or dematerialize tooth enamel. The resulting weakened teeth are susceptible to tooth decay.

Fortunately, top cosmetic dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser and his dental team can help you prevent tooth decay.

FOODS THAT CAUSE TOOTH DECAY

Foods containing carbohydrates (starches and sugars) contribute to tooth decay. Examples include soda pop, candy and even some fruits, vegetables and juices.

PREVENTION

The saliva in your mouth acts as a buffer to the acids formed by plaque and remineralizing agent. Those infamous four-out-of-five dentists that recommended sugarless gum in the 1980s commercials did so because these gums can stimulate production of healthy saliva.

Good dental hygiene, however, is the best way to prevent cavities. This includes a regimen of regular brushing, flossing and rinsing. Fluoride, found in most drink water and toothpastes, is a natural substance that helps remineralize your tooth structure. This makes your teeth are more resistant to acids while correcting any damage created by the plaque bacteria.

If you experience particularly high levels of plaque, your dentist may recommend using high-concentration fluoride gels, mouth rinses or dietary fluoride supplements. Your dentist also may recommend professional-strength, anti-cavity varnishes or sealants for particularly stubborn problems.

WHO IS AT RISK?

Everyone who eats, drinks or uses their mouth in any fashion is exposed to plaque-causing bacteria. You're most susceptible if you eat a high concentration of carbohydrates and sugary foods. If you live in a community that doesn't fluoridate its water, you should consider other methods of fluoride treatment.

Those with many fillings are particularly susceptible as the area surrounding the restored tooth is an excellent breeding ground for bacteria.

PROTECTING YOUR TEETH

Practicing a three-way approach to dental hygiene is your best bet to avoiding tooth decay.

Cut down on sweets and between-meal snacks.
Brush after every meal, floss daily and consider using a plaque-fighting mouth rinse. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle; brush the interior, exterior and top of your teeth. Don't forget to replace your brush every few months and only use toothpastes and rinses that contain fluoride.
Visit your doctor every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning. Cavities can be difficult to detect so a thorough examination is necessary to identify potential problems.

Left untreated, tooth decay can weaken a tooth's structure and root canal, which could lead to the loss of the entire tooth.

LEARN MORE

Call Dr. Mobasser today at 1.310.550.0383 or email us to schedule an appointment and learn more about treatments for tooth decay .