Stages of Tooth Decay
We all know that there is a battle that is as timeless as time itself, least to the point in time that modern dentistry came into play. That is the battle between the dentist and tooth decay. The most common causes of tooth decay is improper dental care and diets high in sugar. It is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day to keep them healthy. Otherwise your teeth will start down the long road to decay. Luckily tooth decay is highly preventable, and comes with warning signs before it gets to the severe stages.
Before we venture into the stages of tooth decay however, we’ll give you a quick refresher course on the tooth itself.
Let’s start at the outer layers and work inward.
Crown: The crown of the tooth is the visible parts of the tooth above the gums.
Root: The root is the opposite, being the visible parts of the tooth located beneath the gums.
Enamel: The protective outer layer of the tooth.
Dentin: Makes up most of the inner surface of the tooth.
Pulp: Part of the tooth that holds the nerves and blood vessels of the tooth.
Cementum: Covers the roots of the tooth.
Now that we know the terminology needed to see the stages of tooth decay, we can move onto the main subject of this article. If you are worried that you might be in the beginning stages of tooth decay you have two main options. The first, is to visit a dentist and get a check-up. The second is to look in the mirror for these signs.
First Stage, Dull White Spots: The first stage of tooth decay will show dull, yellow spots or chalky looking white areas on the teeth. This is caused by a lack of calcium in the teeth.
Second Stage, Enamel Decay: This is the stage when the tooth enamel begins to break down. If not treated, the tooth’s surface will begin to break, causing irreversible damage. Physical deterioration will begin to become noticeable.
Third Stage, Dentin Decay: At this stage, the decay moves past the enamel and begins to affect the dentin. At this stage you will be able to visually see where the tooth has decayed, seeing past the Enamel.
Fourth Stage, Infection: Once the tooth decay gets the pulp of the tooth involved, infection from the bacteria gets started. Infected push can begin to kill the nerves and blood vessels found in the pulp.
Fifth Stage, Abscess Formation: The pain from the tooth decay will begin to get more severe, and the bones around the tooth of the tooth can get infected as well, making it worse. This is the final and most severe stage of tooth decay.
Hopefully it won’t get to the fifth stage of tooth decay before you decide to see your dentist. Regardless of how far the tooth decay progresses, the Drs. Costello and Drake, the Volusia County Cosmetic Dentistry, have a variety of procedures to help make your smile bright again. These include popular dental operations and aids such as Invisalign, crowns, bridges, and porcelain veneers.