Questions about caries?!
Question: Questions about caries?
Could the naked eye spot one?
How long does it take for the cavity to reach the pulp?
How painful is it when it does? Does the pain come progressively or immediately?
How do I stop the acids and enzymes from digging into my tooth?
How do I know I have tooth decay if the enamel and dentin lack cells and are painless?
How often should I get my teeth cleaned by a dentist to avoid caries?
To what extent does mouthwash a substitute to a toothbrush?
I'm 18, is it likely for someone young to have one?
How do you treat a cavity on the side of the teeth, in between two teeth?
I'll be honest I haven't brushed my teeth for a while, I'm lazy, lack will power and often forget. My teeth aren't the whitest you've seen but thankfully they don't show when I smile or laugh, so it doesn't bother me. I use mouthwash regularly to avoid bad breath. So esthetically it's fine, but I'm worried about my dental health. The dentist I saw 3 months ago told me I had no cavity, which surprised me.
I hope I didn't gross you out but those questions need answers from you.
Thanks.
Answers:
Latta Marie summed everything up well, but I want to tell you my experience.
I hated brushing my teeth and I still do, but I do it every night. Why you ask--because it has cost me a fortune in dental bills and years of pain from abscessed teeth. Please, please take care of your teeth and don't be like me. Dental floss is a great way to remove any food stuck in your teeth and it you brush regularly and floss they won't bleed. You don't want to have gum disease in addition to your tooth worries.
You may think you are lucky by not having cavities, but it will catch up. I have 10 dental implants and numerous crowns because my teeth were soft and I was lazy. Think of brushing as doing something good for yourself.
The best cavity preventative is your own saliva. I have not brushed my teeth in 6 years. Since then I have only had 2 cavities. When I did brush I would go to the dentist with 7 cavities at a time. I got my first cavity when I was 12. You can buy a dental mirror at a drug store.
Ok question one the pulp the cavity reaching the pulp it depends on how long the cavity is formning yes the naked eye can spot one depending on how bad the cavity is when it gets to point where the cavity is good size forming the bacteria in there will cause pain well it depends on how bad the dental carries is but it will hurt bad enough that you need to see a dentist it comes progressively depending on the circumstances of the cavity stop acids by taking care of your teeth good oral hygiene brushing your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes and floss once Aday you'll know you have tooth decay when you see a hole in your tooth or black brown spot or you start to feel pain and senstiviry to hot and cold things which means the tooth is dyning and you need a rootcanal get your teeth cleaned every six months mouth wash helps bD breath and keep mouth clean youvtreat a cavity either way by drilling the decay and cleaning it out then you get a filling silver amagalm or composite white but you should a your dentist regularly for dental. Cleanings every six month and floss your gums are bleeding cause your not brushing enough or flossing you could be experiencing gum disease or another word gingivitis hope this helps good kick u