{"id":9332,"date":"2018-09-22T15:42:37","date_gmt":"2018-09-22T14:42:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dfpreviews.co.uk\/bowlanedental\/preview\/?p=9332"},"modified":"2019-07-13T07:22:03","modified_gmt":"2019-07-13T06:22:03","slug":"tooth-decay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.dental-focus.co.uk\/bowlanedental\/preview\/tooth-decay\/","title":{"rendered":"Tooth decay"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tooth decay or dental caries<\/a> is a bacterial infection in your tooth. It needs sugar, bacteria and time in order to progress. We all produce plaque, a sticky layer of bacteria. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, this bacteria produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The first stage is a white spot on your tooth, which turns brown and then eventually a hole or cavity appears.<\/p>\n

How do you know if you have tooth decay?<\/h2>\n

Sometimes you are not aware you have a cavity and your dentist spots at his check-up or using dental x-rays<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You may have noticed your tooth being more sensitive to temperature or sweet things. Occasionally you may feel a hole or food may get caught where it hasn\u2019t before. Some people notice bad breath from the bacteria.<\/p>\n

If the decay is extensive it can travel to your nerve and cause an abscess. Usually the pain is more sever and you often develop a swelling and the tooth is uncomfortable to bite on. If this has happened the only treatment is root canal therapy or the tooth needs removing.<\/p>\n

How can you fix it?<\/h3>\n

Early decay, more a cavity has appeared can reverse and heal itself. It needs a good diet, good cleaning and Fluoride for this to happen. Once it has formed a cavity the most predictable treatment is to visit your dentist to have a filling placed. They will eliminate the bacterial, clean the cavity and usually place a tooth coloured filling<\/a> (composite). If the tooth is too broken down you may require a porcelain inlay onlay or crown.<\/p>\n

How to prevent tooth decay?<\/h4>\n