Mr Robert is sitting quietly on his desk, sulking. He worked hard on his presentation. When asked about his disappointment he could only point to his swollen mouth. The pain and discomfort of his tooth put him one step behind that day.

Are you feeling like Mr Robert?

If you leave your pain untreated it can cause severe dental issues and you will end up like Mr Robert.

Tooth decay is one of the prevalent oral health issues worldwide. It is also known as dental caries or cavities. The tooth cavity occurs when the enamel is eroded by acid-producing bacteria. You will start experiencing discomfort, pain, and more severe dental issues if you leave it untreated.

In this blog, you will understand the symptoms of tooth decay and get a comprehensive guide from the best dental clinic in Kolkata.

Let us see what is tooth decay:

Tooth decay is a disease that causes the breakdown of your tooth enamel. Cavities start to grow in the eroded enamel. Your tooth has three layers, namely,

• Enamel– the outer hard layer of your tooth that protects your tooth. It contains no living cells and is considered the hardest structure in the human body.

• Dentin– it is the second layer of your tooth. If your enamel is damaged, your dentin gets exposed.

• Pulp– it is the centre of the tooth. Contains blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue.

Tooth decay can turn severe causing wear to the enamel to painful abscesses within the pulp of the tooth.

What are the symptoms of tooth decay?

• Tooth Sensitivity-

This is the earliest sign you will experience if you have tooth decay. You must consult the best dental clinics in Kolkata if you start feeling discomfort or sharp pain while consuming hot, cold, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. This indicates that your enamel is weak. You start experiencing this sensitivity when the protective layer of your tooth wears away, exposing your dentin.

• Tooth pain-

This happens in the advanced stage. The pain you feel may range from mild, intermittent aches to even severe if you leave it untreated. When the decay reaches the inner layer of the tooth, the pulp, you start feeling the pain and discomfort. This is a sign that you should immediately go for dental treatment.

• Holes or Pits in Your Teeth-

When the decay starts to progress, it can create visible holes, pits or sometimes dark spots on the tooth surface. The cavities there trap the food particles and bacteria, causing further damage to the tooth. Regular dental check-ups can help you to identify these issues early and you can prevent further damage.

• Tooth Discolouration-

You may notice brown, black, or white in certain areas of the tooth when your tooth starts to decay. This discolouration occurs as your enamel and dentin break down, and bacteria start to accumulate in the affected areas.

• Halitosis or Bad Breath-

This can be another vital sign of tooth decay. Persistent bad breath happens when the bacteria start to feed on food particles that are trapped in cavities, they release sulphur compounds causing an unpleasant odour.

• Swelling Gums-

swollen, red, or bleeding gums around the affected tooth are a sign that the infection has spread. This occurs when the decay extends to the root of the tooth. This also signals the development of an abscess, which needs urgent care.

• Pain while Chewing-

Experiencing pain while chewing is a sign that the decay has weakened the structure of the tooth. This causes discomfort when you apply pressure while eating your food.

• Losing Tooth-

In severe cases, decay can weaken the tooth to such an extent that it becomes loose. This mainly occurs when the supporting structure, like, the jawbone and gums, are affected by the spread of infection.

If you notice any of these symptoms then take advice from the best dental clinic in Kolkata where you get guidance from the specialists.

Prevention is always better than cure.

How you can prevent your Tooth Decay?

Here, we have some tips for you to prevent your tooth decay:

• Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste.
• Limit the intake of sugary snacks and drinks.
• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups and cleanings.
• You can use dental fluoride treatments if your dentistrecommends.

Tooth decay occurs due to the presence of plaque on the tooth. If you eat sugary or starchy food, the bacteria present in the plaque produce acids attacking your tooth enamel. When left untreated these acids leach out minerals from teeth, and erode the enamel, causing the decay of your tooth.

Researchers have found out that children aged 5-11 years have at least one untreated decayed tooth. And older adults experience gum recession, exposing the root of the tooth.

Who has a higher chance of developing tooth decay?

Person having

• Dry mouth
• Weak enamel due to genetics or illness.
• Poor oral hygiene.
• Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia.
• Gastroesophageal reflux.

It is important to understand when you see the best dentist in Kolkata for your dental treatment.

Early detection can help you resolve many issues:

• Check whether you have any of these above-mentioned symptoms. If you have then immediately, seek professional help.

• You can save your tooth from further damage by consulting the dental clinic in Tollygunge.

• Any kind of changes in oral health is a sign to call for a dentist.

It is important to take care of oral health for your overall well-being.

Visit https://whitezone.in/  one of the best dental clinics in Kolkata to learn more about your oral health and tooth decay.

Have a healthy & happy life!