Rotten teeth - all about the causes and treatment options

Publication date: 01/25/2021

Every person's teeth are designed to last for many years. They have several levels of protection:

• Enamel is a highly durable mineralized tissue that protects the surface of the tooth.
• Dentin is a less hard tissue, but also strong. The main task of dentin is to protect the pulp - the inner tissue. It is the nerve endings in the pulp that signal us about the problem. If the surface layers are broken, we experience pain.
• Cement - covers the roots, protecting them from adverse influences

Overcoming these layers of defense is not easy, but it is possible. And then the teeth rot.

Causes of rotting

In the first place is fear. It is the irrational fear of the dentist, which is difficult to control, that makes us put off visiting the doctor. Often to the point where it is no longer possible to save the tooth. No matter what facts they give us, no matter how much we persuade ourselves, phobias do not lend themselves to rational arguments.

But this is far from the only reason.

General diseases

Our body is a single system. Discord in one place leads to problems in another. Thus, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract cause dental problems.

Infections, fungal diseases, even hormonal imbalances often lead to inflammatory processes in the mouth.

Ecological problems

In regions where drinking water is of poor quality, dental problems are 3-4 times more common. The same picture is observed where there are large industrial enterprises. Increased amounts of toxic microelements in the environment harm overall health and negatively affect teeth.

Diet

There are foods that provoke the growth of bacteria in the oral cavity, which means they contribute to tooth decay. Yes, that same sugar, but not only that. Acids formed during the fermentation of carbohydrates are the main enemies of enamel.

Lifestyle

Addictions of any kind are not good for dental health. Cigarettes, drugs, alcohol are a direct path to problems.

This also includes restrictive diets. Vegetarians, vegans, and Keto fans need to carefully ensure that the body receives all trace elements and vitamins.

Oral diseases

Inflammatory processes in the mouth are a haven for bacteria. Therefore, it is important to regularly carry out sanitation and ultrasonic cleaning of teeth. Periodontal disease, periodontitis, stomatitis, gingevitis, cheilitis require special treatment, which is better not to delay.

Oral hygiene

This is perhaps the easiest way to destroy teeth. All that’s left to do is brush and floss twice a day. 90% of the population does this, but not as carefully as we would like. There are special teeth cleaning schemes. They involve treating surfaces from all sides and for a certain time. Unfortunately, now

90% are those who brush their teeth for less than 1 minute.

Genetic predisposition

Alas, often all preventive measures are not able to help keep teeth safe and sound. Healthy, strong teeth, just like bad ones, are inherited.

Prevention

To ensure that wisdom teeth hurt as little as possible, they must be thoroughly cleaned. In addition to paste and brush, purchase a mouthwash, or better yet, an irrigator for hygiene. It is able to remove fresh plaque and food debris even in hard-to-reach corners of the dentition. Just remember that the irrigator is considered an additional means of oral hygiene and is used only after brushing with a toothbrush. You should also not neglect preventive examinations at the dentist. Remember, only a professional doctor can detect a disease in the early stages of its development. Take care of your teeth!

Online consultation with a doctor

If you are concerned about the condition of your teeth and the symptoms described in this article: putrid odor, pain when biting, sensitivity of the enamel to cold, hot, sour, sweet, dark holes on the tooth, then it is best to undergo an examination and consultation with a dentist. Because these may be symptoms of deep caries, cysts, and other diseases. Bacteria or infection, entering the blood or lymph, affect healthy tissues, causing complications and illnesses. Which, if neglected, will lead to more expensive treatment:

• depulpation;
• dental restoration;
• deletion;
• dental implantation;
• prosthetics;
• treatment of adentia.

Deep caries of wisdom tooth

If the development of the carious process is not stopped in time, the infection will gradually penetrate deeper and eventually reach the pulp. Inflammation in the pulp tissue is called pulpitis and is accompanied by aching pain that is difficult to ignore. It is not easy to treat deep caries of wisdom teeth, since it is necessary to fill the root canals, and the roots of figure eights are usually curved. Untreated pulpitis can develop into more serious diseases - wisdom tooth cyst or periodontitis, which are much more difficult to combat.

Stages of decay development

There is no acute form of caries, so small changes are difficult to notice, they accumulate - and now a person cannot smile, only stumps of teeth remain. Therefore, it is important to undergo preventive examinations regularly. The dentist can identify the problem at the initial stage and can easily fix it.

1. Rotting begins at the spot stage. The color of part of the surface changes. Enamel demineralization begins. At this stage, treatment is quick and easy.
2. The superficial process of demineralization is increasing, but the pain syndrome has not yet manifested itself. The tooth can react to sweet, sour, cold, hot.
3. Middle stage The lesion reaches the enamel-dentin junction. Painful sensations occur periodically. Large areas are affected.
4. Deep damage The decay process affects the dentin surrounding the pulp. If this process is left unattended, pulpitis will develop. And this is far from the only problem.

How to protect yourself from complications of dental diseases

To avoid any complications, it is best to prevent the diseases themselves. There is nothing complicated here:

1. 1. Brushing your teeth twice daily. In this case, it is necessary to change your toothbrush in a timely manner (usually once every three months) and carefully choose toothpaste, taking into account the doctor’s recommendations;
2. 2. Regular visits to the dentist. If you go to the doctor every six months, you will be able to either completely avoid caries, or cure it at the earliest stage - quickly and without any discomfort;
3. 3. If a tooth has been removed or deformed (part of it has broken off, a filling has fallen out), you also need the help of a doctor. Such violations spoil the bite, and the load on neighboring teeth will increase. They will become more vulnerable to adverse effects.

Of course, to avoid complications, you should immediately consult a specialist as soon as a pathological process or painful sensations are noticed.

Complications

Bad teeth are a direct path to a heart attack

. When the tooth's protection is destroyed, bacteria enter directly into the bloodstream. There they can provoke the development of blood clots, inflammation of blood vessels, and this leads to the development of coronary artery disease, which is not far from a heart attack.

Gastrointestinal problems

Rotten teeth make it difficult to chew food well. Not only do poorly chewed pieces irritate the mucous membrane, pathogenic flora from damaged teeth enters the stomach and intestines, where they can multiply uncontrollably, causing diseases such as gastritis, pancreatitis, stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers. Competent gastroenterologists always advise visiting a dentist.

Diseases of the throat and nose

A constant source of infection in the mouth means that any malfunction in the body will cause a relapse of diseases such as sore throat and sinusitis. Purulent infections are dangerous because they can lead to blood poisoning. And such diseases are difficult, often causing complications. Inflammation of the tonsils often causes rheumatism and heart problems. Those who struggle with chronic sinusitis need to especially carefully monitor the condition of the oral cavity. Chronic manifestations will not go away if there are rotten teeth in the mouth.

And the head too

An advanced inflammatory process can spread to the trigeminal nerve. It is closely connected with the brain, and this is a serious matter. Chronic migraines, memory problems, even Alzheimer's disease are associated with oral health. Although there is no direct evidence that Alzheimer's is caused by the same bacteria that cause inflammation in the mouth, it is better to be on the safe side.

Abscesses and cellulitis are also the result of bacterial inflammation.

Dental implantation: positive and negative points

Many patients do not think at all about the dangers of hastily removing a tooth without any attempt to save it. For example, problems associated with a missing tooth include:

• an increase in the level of load on nearby teeth, which contributes to the deterioration of their appearance and stability. This problem can subsequently lead to the gradual destruction of neighboring healthy teeth;
• problems with speech as a result of the removal of several teeth at once;
• inability to lead a full life due to refusal of a number of food products;
• impaired smile aesthetics.

What is dental implantation? This is a procedure in which implants are implanted in place of lost teeth, over which crowns are subsequently placed. Thanks to this simple procedure, the patient receives teeth that look no different from natural teeth.

The advantages of dental implantation include:

• the presence of a special structure in dental implants, providing them with a long service life. Many implant manufacturing companies provide a lifetime warranty on their products;
• the ability to fully chew all kinds of food after the rehabilitation period and not be afraid to brush your teeth. In terms of functionality, implants are fully capable of replacing natural teeth;
• positive impact on the aesthetics of the smile, since implants cannot be distinguished from natural teeth;
• the ability to restore one or several teeth at once.

What to do when the process of tooth decay begins

Modern dentistry is not about pain at all. This is about caring for the patient and the desire to preserve his teeth.

Dentists' advice is simple, but how many people follow it?

How to prevent teeth from rotting:

• Lead a healthy lifestyle
• Takes good care of your teeth
• Carry out hygiene procedures regularly
• Monitor your general health

Plaque on teeth is the beginning of the decay process. Regular cleaning of tartar is one way to keep your teeth healthy.

Why do children's teeth rot?

In children, the composition of saliva is not the same as in adults. Its antibacterial properties are low; in a warm, humid environment, microbes multiply quickly. The disease is not only common, it progresses rapidly. Caries spreads in width and depth. Single events are rare; usually several teeth are affected at once. For children, timely identification and treatment of problem teeth is of particular importance. Rotten teeth can cause:

• pulpitis and periodontitis;
• malocclusion;
• loss of milk and permanent teeth;
• inflammation of the maxillofacial apparatus.

Bad teeth affect the social adaptation of children and lead to psychological problems.

Prevention includes hygiene procedures, limiting sweets, a balanced diet and regular dental examinations.

Treatment

Sick teeth need to be treated, the sooner the better. The dentist’s task is to save the tooth, but if measures are not taken in time, it will have to be removed to avoid serious consequences.

Methods:

• Remineralization Applications of calcium and fluoride preparations and electrophoresis help restore enamel at the initial stage.

• Filling the cavity The affected tissues are removed, their place is filled with filling material.

• Partial prosthetics A crown is placed on the tooth, which protects it from mechanical and biological influences. The crown is placed on a previously depulped, dead tooth.

• Removal If the pulp is affected and the inflammatory process threatens to develop into an abscess, the tooth is pulled out. You should not resist the removal of rotten teeth - they do nothing but harm.

It is easier to prevent any process than to take a long time to eliminate the consequences. By following simple preventive measures and regularly visiting the doctor, you can avoid tooth decay and maintain your smile and self-confidence for many years.