6 Questions and 6 Answers About Tooth Decay

Increasingly unhealthy eating habits are becoming more common today, contributing to the prevalence of tooth decay. The excessive consumption of sugars, carbohydrates, and acidic foods, along with a lack of emphasis on dental hygiene, leads to rapid decay of our teeth. So, how should we protect our dental health? What developments are there in the treatment of cavities? Anadolu Medical Center Dentist Arzu Tekkeli answered questions regarding cavities...

What is Tooth Decay? How Does It Occur?

Certain bacteria present in our mouths convert sugars and carbohydrates from the foods we eat into acids. These acids destroy the minerals on the surface of the teeth, creating small holes that grow rapidly over time. These holes are referred to as cavities. In other words, tooth decay results from the acid erosion of the enamel layer of the tooth.

Who is at Risk?

People who do not brush their teeth regularly and maintain oral hygiene, those who consume a diet high in carbohydrates and sugars, individuals who go to bed without brushing their teeth, babies who are fed with sugary or honey-added foods from a bottle, and those who consume excessive acidic foods are at risk for tooth decay.

What Should Be Done to Prevent Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is certainly preventable. There are several important points to pay attention to, which can be summarized as follows:

• Avoid foods that are sugary, acidic, and high in carbohydrates.
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, preferably after each main meal.
• Use additional products like dental floss and mouthwash to assist with brushing.
• Do not skip dental check-ups every six months.

What Should Be Considered in Diet?

Food items that are considered harmful to dental health include sugary and acidic foods, as well as sticky substances that adhere to teeth and are difficult to clean. The recommended dietary habits are as follows:

• If consuming sugary, sticky, or acidic foods, they should be eaten within three main meals, and teeth should be brushed afterward.
• If brushing is not possible at the moment, rinse the mouth with water or drink a glass of water.
• Opt for hard foods like apples and carrots as snacks, as these help clean teeth and massage gums.
• Finally, instead of finishing a meal with a sugary or sticky food, it is crucial to have a piece of cheese last, as it helps counteract the cavity-causing effects of sugar.

How Common is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is particularly more common in developing countries like ours. It is frequently observed in socio-culturally disadvantaged communities and among individuals with limited financial means. The primary reasons for this include the excessive presence of industrially processed and packaged foods in our lives, as well as the inadequate education on oral and dental health both at home and in schools.

Another significant factor is that in the past, people did not use sugar and consumed foods in a more solid form without excessive cooking. Hard foods naturally cleaned teeth. In our current era, packaged and processed foods, highly acidic beverages, and soft, cooked carbohydrates that are readily available have made tooth decay quite common.

What is Being Done for Cavity Treatment?

The first step in cavity treatment is to stop the progressing decay and preserve the vitality of the pulp, which is the living part of the tooth. The earliest stage of the enamel deterioration process is known as a white spot lesion. The traditional treatments for these lesions involve topical fluoride application and improving oral hygiene. If a cavity has formed on the tooth surface, the goal is to halt the decay before it progresses to the pulp and fill it with a simple one-session procedure.

If the decay has progressed to the pulp of the tooth, the procedure involves removing the pulp tissue (commonly known as root canal treatment), filling the canals, and placing a crown over the tooth.

With today’s technology and new-generation dental instruments, tooth decay can be treated quickly and painlessly. Compared to the old days when teeth were extracted due to decay, our goal now is to treat teeth as any organ in our body and to keep them in our mouths for as long as possible. We, as dentists, aim to provide the best care for our patients by utilizing state-of-the-art devices and the best materials, incorporating our years of accumulated knowledge into our practice.