Every day, our teeth are exposed to destructive factors. Enamel - armor of teeth - under the influence of these factors may not always withstand. Gradually, it becomes thinner. The tooth begins to decay. How to stop tooth decay, read this article.
External and internal causes of destruction of enamel
There are many factors that influence the decay of our teeth. External factors include:
- Non-compliance with the temperature regime or high temperature contrast. If you drink ice water immediately after eating a hot meal, the enamel may not stand it. Cracks appear on its surface, through which bacteria destroying it will also directly enter the tooth.
- The mechanical factor, that is, strokes, injuries, the habit of eating very rough food or chewing on solid objects.
- The chemical factor acts quickly and ruthlessly. Some foods or oral care products contain alkali and acid destructive to enamel.
- Hygienic factor means improper care of the oral cavity, improper selection of toothpaste or brush, complete lack of oral hygiene.
Internal causes of destruction include:
- Lack of fluoride and calcium.
- Improper nutrition, diet.
- Malfunctions at the hormonal level.
- Heredity.
- The effects of any medication.
Tooth decay: general causes
There are common causes of destruction of enamel. They can affect women, men and children:
- Wrong bite very often leads to the destruction of enamel. You need to solve this issue in the dentist's chair.
- Bruxism - night grinding of teeth also leads to thinning of enamel, the appearance of chips and cracks on it.
- Dental diseases - if a person has any untreated dental diseases, then gradually this will lead to their destruction.
Knowing the reasons leading to the destruction of enamel, it is much easier to prevent trouble.
Symptoms of enamel damage
Tooth decay does not occur immediately. This is a long process that can be slowed down or stopped. Attention should be paid to the slightest change in the oral cavity. What are the symptoms of this phenomenon?
- The enamel becomes thinner, dentin is visible under it. So, yellow or brown spots appear on the teeth. The stronger the enamel becomes thinner, the darker the color of the crown.
- The enamel gradually softens, which means it becomes rough to the touch.
- The more enamel is affected, the brighter the teeth respond to cold and hot.
- The process of tooth decay is accompanied by the appearance of chips and cracks on them.
- In a later period of destruction, the pulp, nerve canals can be exposed, the shape of the tooth changes. Eating, and sometimes simply opening the mouth, becomes very painful.
Bacteria, penetrating the hole, will soon cause pulpitis. If at this moment you do not start treatment, then the tooth crown will completely destroy. The treatment in this case is long and expensive, because the installation of pins is a difficult process. Pin teeth can consist of various materials, attach differently. Only an experienced dentist can solve such issues.
Tooth decay in children
Unfortunately, enamels tend to break down not only in adults, but also in children. As soon as the child reaches the age of two, obvious symptoms of the disease can be observed. Very often, destruction occurs in children who are breast-fed.
A mixture often contains too many carbohydrates that are converted to organic acids in the baby’s mouth. They can lead to demineralization of enamel, because children's teeth are still so weak. To find out that demineralization occurs in the oral cavity is very difficult, because the process is hidden from the eyes.
If the mother had a metabolic disorder during pregnancy, the child will suffer from this. Improper nutrition during gestation, severe toxicosis in the first trimester, some past illnesses can lead to problems such as underdevelopment of enamel or improper development of the shape of the crown.
Be sure to observe personal hygiene in the house with a small child. Often, parents, without noticing it, spoil the teeth of the baby, passing him their pathogenic bacteria. You can not use common cutlery, lick a pacifier, and too often kiss the baby on the lips. All this can cause tooth decay.
Children's saliva has a low degree of alkali content. This means that saliva cannot fulfill its mineralizing function. It is for this reason that the teeth of many children begin to decay very early.
Why is enamel destroyed in women?
Scientists have found that female enamel is destroyed more often than male. This is facilitated not only by common factors, but also by purely female reasons. Among them:
- Pregnancy period - at this difficult time, the fetus takes everything necessary from the mother's body. And if any microelement or mineral is not enough for building, the fetus will “wash” it from the mother’s body. First of all, teeth are affected. If a woman had dental diseases before pregnancy, then during this period they intensify.
- Sharp weight loss - it is women who most often and most persistently go on diets, avoiding proper nutrition. Sudden weight loss can lead to the destruction of enamel.
- Hormonal disruptions - during menopause (or with increased thyroid function), the salivary glands and the entire immune system may be disrupted. This leads to enamel sensitivity and brittleness.
Why are teeth broken in men?
Of course, men's teeth deteriorate due to common reasons. But there are special factors inherent specifically to males.
It is in men that mechanical destruction of teeth often occurs. This is due to the characteristics of professions, dangerous sports, and sometimes simple aggressiveness.
In addition, men less than women take care of their teeth, having the habit of opening corks with them and biting nuts. Men smoke more and drink alcohol. This leads to demineralization of enamel.
Prevention of complete tooth decay
The destruction of enamel in the oral cavity is an unpleasant phenomenon. This spoils the aesthetic appearance of a smile. In addition, bacteria that can cause additional diseases get into cracks and chips. How to prevent complete tooth decay?
Be sure to brush your teeth. This should be done regularly, and not from time to time. Nobody canceled a visit to the dentist once every six months! Bridle your habits - do not gnaw hard objects, do not bite the threads, do not open the lids with your teeth, limit the seeds and nuts in the diet.
If you see the slightest changes in the oral cavity, immediately make an appointment with the dentist.
To strengthen the enamel, taking vitamins and increasing the dose of foods containing calcium are useful. Eat more fish, herbs and dairy products. You can also visit the dentist and strengthen the teeth in his chair by fluoridation.
How to treat?
Destruction of the tooth crown is an irreversible process. Therefore, it is always better to care for your teeth correctly, avoiding illness. But if there is still destruction, urgently treat it! How to restore a tooth?
- If you have chopped off a small piece of the cutting edge or observed crushing of teeth, use extension photopolymer composites.
- If the destruction of the crown is significant, pins or intra-root tabs are used.
- Using veneers, you can hide defects in the smile area.
- If the tooth is badly damaged (more than 70%), then the treatment consists only in installing the crown.
- If there is a destruction of the wisdom tooth, then the specialist will most likely prescribe its removal. This tooth does not take part in chewing food, it is a potential breeding ground for bacteria, therefore it does not make sense to save and treat it.
Despite the apparent strength of enamel, there are a huge number of factors that can lead to its destruction. Remember that monitoring the condition of the teeth and properly caring for them is always easier than treating!