Many individuals suppose tooth decay and cavities are identical issues. Effectively, the 2 situations are associated as cavities are a result of tooth decay. However they aren’t identical factors, 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 situation? Hold studying to study extra about tooth decay vs cavities.
What’s Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is the progressive corrosion of the layers of a tooth. It happens when dangerous microorganisms within the mouth produce corrosive acids while digesting sugary or starchy meals. The acids, meal particles, and micro organism mix to type a biofilm coating on the tooth referred to as plaque. You probably have ever felt a fuzzy sensation while you run your tongue over your tooth, and then you recognize what plaque looks like.
Day by day brushing and flossing simply do away with the plaque that kinds day by day in our mouths. However, when you have poor oral hygiene, the plaque will type right into a hard-to-remove substance referred to 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. Ultimately, 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 teeth are in touch with plaque acids for too long, 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. Ultimately, 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 day by day and avoiding sugary and starchy meals and drinks. Brushing your tooth after each meal or at least each morning and night eliminates plaque. However, brushing alone shouldn’t be sufficient. Some meals get caught between and on the corners of our teeth 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 essentially the most quantity of plaque.
These which might be vulnerable 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 might also stop different diseases like diabetes, coronary heart illness, and most cancers. One other good strategy to stop cavities, particularly on the molars and premolars is to get dental sealants.
Should you get a cavity, the best choice is to go to a dentist as quickly as doable. Dentists have completely different therapy choices that they might comply with relying on the severity of the cavity. They’ll 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 possibility 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’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 also can remineralize your tooth. This reduces your probability of getting cavities. Additionally, it is essential to go to your dentist a few times every 12 months for checkups and routine cleansing. The dentist will have the ability to acknowledge and reverse early indicators of tooth decay.