Many individuals suppose tooth decay and cavities are the identical issues. Effectively, the 2 situations are associated as cavities are a results of tooth decay. However they aren’t the identical factor, so we shouldn’t use the phrases interchangeably. So what precisely is tooth decay and what’s a cavity? How are you going to acknowledge, stop, and deal with the situations? Maintain studying to study extra about tooth decay vs cavity.
What’s Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is the progressive corrosion of the layers of a tooth. It happens when dangerous micro organism within the mouth produce corrosive acids whereas digesting sugary or starchy meals. The acids, meals particles, and micro organism mix to kind a biofilm coating on the tooth known as plaque. In case you have ever felt a fuzzy sensation once you run your tongue over your tooth, then you realize what plaque looks like.
Each day brushing and flossing simply eliminate the plaque that kinds each day in our mouths. However when you’ve got poor oral hygiene, the plaque will kind right into a hard-to-remove substance known as tartar. Moreover, the acids within the plaque will begin corroding the enamel of our tooth. That is the early stage of tooth decay. In case your oral hygiene doesn’t enhance the tooth decay will transcend the enamel layer to the dentin and at last the pulp layer. Finally, untreated tooth decay could trigger tooth loss.
What’s Cavity?
A cavity is a gap within the tooth that happens due to untreated tooth decay. When our tooth are in touch with plaque acids for too lengthy, the enamel loses a few of its minerals. White flecks seem on the tooth instead of the misplaced minerals. That is the primary signal of tooth decay. At this level, you’ll be able to reverse the issue by bettering your oral hygiene. Moreover, you’ll be able to remineralize the tooth by brushing with fluoride toothpaste, utilizing a fluoride oral rinse, or ingesting faucet water.
In case your tooth decay goes unchecked after the primary warning signal, the plaque acids proceed to erode your enamel. Finally, holes or openings will develop on the floor of the tooth. These are cavities. So, we will say {that a} cavity is a symptom of the second stage of tooth decay.
Prevention and Remedy of Tooth Decay vs Cavity
You’ll be able to stop each tooth decay and cavities by brushing and flossing your tooth each day and avoiding sugary and starchy meals and drinks. Brushing your tooth after each meal or not less than each morning and night removes plaque. However brushing alone isn’t sufficient. Some meals get caught between and on the corners of our tooth so we should floss as soon as a day to eliminate them. Flossing within the night after your final meal and earlier than brushing your tooth removes essentially the most quantity of plaque.
These which might be susceptible to plaque and cavities are additionally higher off avoiding sugary meals and drinks in addition to starchy meals. Doing so retains tooth decay and cavities at bay however may additionally stop different diseases like diabetes, coronary heart illness, and most cancers. One other good technique to stop cavities, particularly on the molars and premolars is to get dental sealants.
When you do get a cavity, the best choice is to go to a dentist as quickly as doable. Dentists have totally different therapy choices that they could comply with relying on the severity of the cavity. They will reverse a cavity if it’s in its early phases via fluoride remedies. Absolutely developed cavities are handled with dental fillings, crowns, and root canals.
In case cavities aren’t handled tooth decay can progress to painful infections and tooth abscesses. In these later phases, the one therapy choice left could also be tooth extraction.
Last Phrase on Tooth Decay vs Cavity
Tooth decay is the progressive destruction of a tooth, layer by layer, from the enamel to the pulp. Cavities are one of many certain signs of tooth decay. You’ll be able to stop tooth decay and cavities by following a correct oral hygiene routine and avoiding sugary and starchy meals.
Brushing your tooth with a fluoride gel and utilizing a fluoride mouth rinse can even remineralize your tooth. This reduces your possibilities of getting cavities. It’s also essential to go to your dentist a few times a 12 months for checkups and routine cleansing. The dentist will have the ability to acknowledge and reverse early indicators of tooth decay.