Tooth Decay and Abscessed Teeth

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What you might want to know about tooth decay ...

With all the cares and concerns of modern life, health and well being seems to take the last priority. And one of the most neglected parts of our body may be our teeth. And as a result, tooth decay is a condition that affects many even today.

Conditions that produce tooth decay ...

In order for tooth decay to be developed in a tooth, that tooth must have acid producing bacteria around it, along with food for the bacteria to feed upon. Teeth that are susceptible to decay will have little to no fluoride in the enamel to fight the plaque. Fluoride can destroy decay, although it won’t be able to do much once the decay has started to eat the teeth.

The role of hygiene in healthy teeth ...

Poor hygiene habits will allow the plaque and tartar to build up around teeth and speed up the process of decay. Even though your mouth has a lot of bacteria that is always present, only one type will generate the acid that results in tooth decay. Some people have active decay that is always present in their mouths. Parents with active decay can easily pass the decay on to a child or loved one through eating, drinking from the same glass, or even kissing.

Once the decay has settled in the tooth’s enamel, it progresses very slowly. Once it has made it through to the second layer of the enamel, it will spread faster as it heads towards the pulp. The pulp is a vital area of the tooth, as it contains the nerves and blood supply. This is where the pain will be the most intense, as the decay will start to eat at the nerves.

Although decay can take 2 - 3 years to get through the enamel, it can make it from the dentin to the pulp in less than a year. Once it makes it to the dentin, the decay can destroy most of the tooth structure in a matter of weeks - or months. The most preventable type of tooth decay, known as smooth decay, also grows the slowest. It starts out as a white spot in the tooth, where the bacteria dissolves the enamel. Smooth decay is very common with those 20 - 30 years of age.

Pit or fissure decay is a bit more serious, forming along the narrow grooves in the chewing side of the molars. It progresses more rapidly, and can eat your teeth a lot faster than smooth decay. Due to the grooves being so narrow, it can be hard to clean them with regular bushing. Even though you may brush on a regular basis, this type of decay is hard to prevent without going to the dentist for your regular checkups and cleaning.

The last type of decay, known as root decay, begins on the surface of the root. Root decay is common with middle aged individuals. It is normally the result of dry mouth, a lot of sugar, or not taking care of your teeth. Root decay is the most difficult to prevent, and the most serious type of tooth decay. It can eat teeth fast, leaving you no choice but to get the affected teeth removed.

Tooth decay is no laughing matter, and should always be treated before it has time to spread and affect more of your teeth. If you visit your dentist for your regular checkups and cleaning, you can normally prevent it from starting. You should always brush on a daily basis, and use mouthwash such as Scope or Listerine to kill bacteria. Bacteria is always present in your mouth, although you can use mouthwash to kill it. If you take care of your teeth and follow the advice of your dentist, you can normally prevent tooth decay before it has a chance to eat at your teeth.

But tooth decay is possibly not the only condition that you might want to read about ...

Abscessed Teeth

What is an abscessed tooth and what are the symptoms of abscessed teeth ...

An abscessed tooth is usually the result of an infection caused by a pus pocket residing in the tissue surrounding the tooth. Abscesses are very serious medical conditions, and ,may lead to serious medical complications if they are not treated right away. When the pulp of a tooth dies due to decay or damage, bacteria may begin to grow from the dead tissue that is left. This bacteria may eventually spread from the root of the dead tooth into the tissue that is below and create a pocket of pus - the abscess.

But that's not the only cause of abscessed teeth ...

Gum disease also causes abscessed teeth. Gum diseases causes the gums to pull back and away from teeth, leaving pockets behind. When one of the pockets becomes blocked, the bacteria can grow and spread, or get backed up. When this happens, an abscess will start to form under the surface of the gums and become apparent will swelling as it gets bigger and spreads.

The effects of an abscess in the tooth ...

Once the infection has started to spread, your jawbone may start to dissolve as it makes room for the swelling in the area that has been infected. Once the bone starts to dissolve, the pressure will be greatly reduced, although the infection will still be there. Even though you will get relief, the infection will get worse - and the pain will always come back. Once more of the bone has been dissolved, there will be nothing left to support the tooth, meaning that it will become loose and end up needing to be extracted.

And here are the ...

Symptoms of abscessed teeth ...

The symptoms of an abscessed tooth are fairly easy to see, as they include severe pain in the affected area, swollen or red gums, swelling around the area or the jaw, a less than pleasant taste in your mouth, and maybe even a high fever. Pain is excruciating with an abscess, normally affecting the area in a bad way. No matter what you do, the pain seems to intensify.

What to do about abscessed teeth ...

Abscesses mostly occur with back teeth, although they can happen in the front as well. Once your tooth has become abscessed, your dentist won’t immediately pull it. If a tooth that has abscessed is extracted once the infection is still present, it can quickly spread.

If you have an abscess in your tooth, then you would want to see a dentist at the earliest ... your dentist may prescribe you some antibiotics that can help.

The dentist may also perform a root canal, in an attempt to remove dead or decayed tissue. Last but not least, he may also drill a hole in the tooth to give the infection a chance to drain and try to remove any dead pulp. The most common treatment with an abscess is to use antibiotics to kill the infection, then get the tooth removed. You should never let it get that bad - as an abscess is something that can destroy your jawbone.