Many individuals assume tooth decay and cavities are the identical issues. Properly, the 2 circumstances are associated as cavities are a results of tooth decay. However they don’t seem to be the identical factor, so we shouldn’t use the phrases interchangeably. So what precisely is tooth decay and what’s a cavity? How will you acknowledge, forestall, and deal with the circumstances? Hold 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 if you run your tongue over your tooth, then you recognize what plaque seems like.
Day by day brushing and flossing simply do away with the plaque that kinds each day in our mouths. However in case you have 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 eventually the pulp layer. Finally, untreated tooth decay might 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 possibly can reverse the issue by bettering your oral hygiene. Moreover, you possibly can remineralize the tooth by brushing with fluoride toothpaste, utilizing a fluoride oral rinse, or consuming 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 Therapy of Tooth Decay vs Cavity
You may forestall 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 at the very least each morning and night eliminates 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 do away with them. Flossing within the night after your final meal and earlier than brushing your tooth eliminates probably the most quantity of plaque.
These which are liable 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 forestall different sicknesses like diabetes, coronary heart illness, and most cancers. One other good solution to forestall cavities, particularly on the molars and premolars is to get dental sealants.
For those who do get a cavity, the most suitable choice is to go to a dentist as quickly as attainable. Dentists have totally different remedy choices that they might observe relying on the severity of the cavity. They’ll reverse a cavity if it’s in its early phases by way of fluoride therapies. 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 remedy choice left could also be tooth extraction.
Remaining 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 positive signs of tooth decay. You may forestall 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 may remineralize your tooth. This reduces your possibilities of getting cavities. Additionally it is essential to go to your dentist a couple of times a yr for checkups and routine cleansing. The dentist will be capable to acknowledge and reverse early indicators of tooth decay.
