Chicago Dentistry: Understand Tooth Decay And Stop It!

By Author: Rooden Salle
Total Articles: 52
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Most people have an idea what plaque is, in that it’s white, sticky and collects on their teeth between brushes. But did you know that plaque is actually an accumulation of up to 300 different kinds of bacteria, both dead and alive PLUS their sulfur-rich wastes? Plaque, in other words, is oral filth. The same way that sweat, dirt and bacteria accumulate on your skin after a day’s work, so too does plaque accumulate on your teeth.

What do you do about a dirty body? You take a nice hot shower with that delicious-smelling body wash you recently splurged on. What do you do about a dirty mouth? You SHOULD be brushing three times daily and flossing once daily, but few people do! And ironically, it’s the same people who refuse to touch the escalator hand rail or use public toilets for fear of catching germs.

The key difference between the garden variety skin bacteria and oral bacteria is that the latter obviously thrive in your mouth, which means that they have a direct pathway into your body. Every time you swallow, legions of microscopic bacteria go water-sliding down the back of your throat into your gut. And ...
... every time you breathe in, even more get into your lungs.

The moral of this story: If you don’t brush and floss regularly, you are putting both your dental AND general health at dire risk.

The Effects of Plaque on Your Teeth

Plaque is bacteria. And just like most other living organisms, bacteria produce waste products. These wastes are extremely acidic, so they corrode your dental enamel. Since bacteria are extremely small, it is impossible to completely eliminate them, even if you do brush and floss rigorously. All it really takes is a tiny hollow or cavity in your teeth to provide bacteria with a safe haven away from the roaming bristles of your toothbrush.

Left to prosper in this tiny hideaway, the acids produced by these micro-organisms eat away at your tooth structure, deepening the cavity until it reaches the heart of your tooth. Once a pathway has been opened up between the outside world and the inner delicate nerves, connective tissue and blood vessels, your pearly whites becomes incredibly vulnerable to infection and tooth decay.

Without immediate treatment by your dentist, tooth decay can lead to tooth loss. Plaque also has a habit of irritating and inflaming the gums, causing bleeding, swelling and discomfort, not to mention halitosis or bad breath.

Steps to Prevent Tooth Decay

The best way to keep your teeth happy and healthy is to minimize the amount of bacteria or plaque in your mouth. You’ll never completely eliminate them, but keeping your teeth for life requires waging a lifelong battle against bacteria:

• Steer clear of foods and beverages that are rich in carbohydrates and sugar; these provide fuel for bacteria and encourage decay.
• Practice good oral hygiene: Brush your teeth three times a day for two minutes at a time and floss before you go to bed at night. Use a fluoride toothpaste and, if you really want to be rigorous, an ADA-approved anti-bacterial mouthwash.
• Chew sugar-free gum (preferably with xylitol): it stimulates saliva production, which is your body’s natural defense against bacteria and tooth decay.
• Book bi-annual appointments with Chicago Dentist.