Tooth decay and plaque

Tooth Decay and Plaque treatment Blackburn

Tooth decay tops the list of the most common causes of loss of tooth in adults. Kids often suffer from tooth decay when appropriate care isn’t taken. According to WHO (World Health Organisation), around 350 million people around the world suffer from tooth decay!

As per its namesake, tooth decay is the decay of tooth which takes place gradually caused by dental caries. Plaque is the house of bacteria which convert sugar, present in food, into acid. This acid deteriorates the enamel of teeth slowly and gradually the layer wears away.

Remember, tooth decay starts very slowly and gradually picks up pace if ignored. It can lead to major dental diseases and disorders such as periodontal disease. Regular dental check up can help avoid these conditions. You can make an appointment at our Healthy Smiles clinic Blackburn, Melbourne right away!

What causes tooth decay and plaque ?

Tooth decay isn’t something you should be worried about. It can be avoided easily as well. Yet millions suffer from it! The reason being of this situation is simple ignorance and lack of dental checkups. If detected earlier, tooth decay can be avoided and treated very easily. All one needs to do is practice good dental habits along with support and guidance of dentists. At Healthy Smiles you get just that! Our dentists have experience and excellence to help you have a healthy smile.

Prevention is always better than cure. Having knowledge about possible risk factors can help you avoid having dental caries. Here is a list of risk factors you might want to remind yourselves daily so as to avoid the plaque and decay of your bright and shiny teeth:

What are the risk factors associated with it?

Tooth Location

Premolars and molars are susceptible to tooth decays. The reason for this is the fact that these are difficult to reach and clean with a toothbrush. Also these permit more food to get collected in the pits and grooves formed due to their shape. This can be overcome by being more careful while brushing your teeth and ensuring proper cleaning of these.

Poor oral habits and lack of hygiene

In these times where everyone keeps on hustling cutting short on brushing is the last thing you must do. It can leave your teeth unclean and might attract a host of bacteria. Also simply brushing isn’t enough, flossing should also be a part of your dental regime.

Improper diet

Sugary and sweet foods, although tasty, are enemies of teeth. Our diet decides the longevity of teeth. Foods that are carbohydrate rich pose threat of cavities to teeth. These foods support plaque formation which then causes tooth decay.

Frequent drinking or eating of sugary substances

Drinking or eating sugary substances again and again can damage your teeth. The teeth are attacked by the acid produced by the bacteria from the sugary substances.

Aging

As one ages, their teeth become more and more vulnerable to damage and decay. This calls for more care and precaution. Intake of vitamins and guidance from dentists can help avoid tooth decay and tooth loss up to certain limits and age, however it is still inevitable.

Dryness of mouth due to less or no saliva (Xerostomia)

In this condition, the mouth becomes dry due to less production of saliva. Saliva is necessary for keeping the teeth clean. It performs several functions other than helping in mastication of food. It cleans the mouth clear of small food particles that are left behind and also restores the fluoride from toothpaste so as to help the teeth absorb them and recover. When saliva isn’t present, the protection of teeth from acids isn’t possible.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

This condition is a true nightmare for any parent. As a parent one has a lot of responsibility along with proper dental care of the baby. This condition usually occurs when a baby is fed milk just before their sleep. The milk left on the baby’s teeth while they sleep. Milk being sugary in nature is utilised by the bacteria which convert it into acid which then starts destroying the teeth.

If you recognise and relate with any risk factor mentioned above you must get yourself a dental check up. Our team of excellent and expert dentists are ready to help and guide you through at Healthy Smiles in Blackburn, Melbourne. We have helped many patients prevent various dental diseases due to early detection.

What are the Symptoms associated with Tooth Decay?

Did you know? The beginning of tooth decay may or may not accompany pain. In most cases pain appears only after the problem has increased way too much and is at its peak. This means that you may not realise that your teeth are decaying and by the time you do, it will be too late.
Have a look at the following list of symptoms your teeth might be giving you as the alarming bell of decay:

Halitosis:

Foul smell from mouth

Bad Taste:

Food tastes bad

Staining of teeth:

Appearance of black, white or brown stains

Sensitivity:

Teeth become sensitive to cold and hot food items causing sharp pain.

Holes on teeth:

Visible pits or holes on teeth

Toothache:

A sudden pain develops on a tooth

The above mentioned symptoms are something one must consider. If you find yourself suffering from any of these it is time you must reach out to a dentist. At Healthy Smiles we can help you save your smile from cruelties of tooth decay. An early approach reduces the amount of treatment required to almost half and even lesser than that. Our dentists are compassionate and give the best possible treatment because we understand how much you love your smile!

Tooth decay solutions and treatments available in Blackburn, Melbourne

Preventing and preparing is always better than repent and repair. One must get a dental check up, at least once in 6 months. Our dentists at Healthy Smiles, Blackburn can help you assess your dental condition and guide you in preventing any decay. Our dentists have experience in detecting early signs and symptoms of tooth decay and can help you prevent worsening of the condition.
In case of plaque, professional deep cleaning is used. Specialised tools are used by the dental hygienist to scrape off plaque. Then premolars and molars are minutely cleaned to remove any chances of further damage. At Healthy Smile we ensure that the procedure is comfortable, painless and absolutely hygienic.

Dentists at Healthy Smiles offer more than you’d expect. We not only advise you on how you can prevent decays and maintain a healthy smile, but also give tips and personalised suggestions to help you maintain dental hygiene on a daily basis. We are prepared for your queries as we understand mental satisfaction is a must.

In case you are already suffering from tooth decay or have more than one symptoms, an urgent appointment is what you need. The extent of damage decides which procedure is the best for you. This makes up the part of the restoration process.

Restoration process starts with a dental check up done by trained dentists. Depending upon the severity a choice is made from dental fillings, dental implants and crowns and bridges. Healthy Smiles ensures that the dental equipment used is of great quality and hygienic. Be it fillings or implants, every single item is durable and natural looking so that it doesn’t affect your smile and restores it to its natural form.

You can be relaxed and assured that extraction will be avoided and choices will be provided to you. Healthy Smiles is known for its caring nature and empathy towards its patients.

What Happens If Tooth Decay Is Ignored?

Toothache is a minor issue which can be treated easily but if ignored can lead to severe irreparable damage of gum and teeth. It is like a slow poison that when left unattended and ignored can destroy the entire set of teeth. They first destroy and damage the upper protective layers of teeth. This takes a lot of time since it is very strong. Eventually, when the upper layer is gone, it becomes easier and easier for them to destroy the inner part. This results in a lot of pain. The destruction of the upper layer also means that your teeth become vulnerable to infections! Ultimately there is loss of teeth, tissue loss and bone damage.

Here’s a list of some of the common conditions seen when tooth decay is left untreated.

Tooth Sensitivity

Enamel forms the upper layer of teeth which help protect the nerve endings of teeth. So when it gets damaged and wears away the nerve endings become exposed and vulnerable. Thus every time you put a cold or hot food in your mouth, it alerts the nerves due to direct contact causing sensitivity.

Bite Changes

Destruction of enamel fastens tooth decay. When it reaches dental pulp, which consists of nerves and blood vessels, the tooth becomes weak. The tooth then loosens and hence the bite capacity changes as it becomes difficult to chew.

Gum Disease

Dental plaque causes inflammation of gums which then become sensitive and swollen. This when left without any treatment can cause damage to the jaw bone. Eventually it leads to loss of teeth.

Halitosis

It is also known as Bad Breath. Halitosis can occur due to multitude of reasons. It usually occurs due to development of gum disease. It is the tartar and the decaying teeth that give this foul smell.

How much will the Tooth Decay Treatment Cost in Blackburn, Melbourne?

The cost of the treatment mostly depends upon the amount of damage caused by the decay. A dental implant can cost approximately $4,000- $7,000 per tooth if the tooth is decayed to the extent that it cannot be saved.

At Healthy Smiles in Blackburn, Melbourne we understand your financial concerns and so offer you choice in treatment and variety of payment options which includes break-down of payment in installations. You can consider your payment as an investment since we provide a great quality treatment which is durable and effective. You can avoid the entire cost of treatment in fact; you can avoid the decay itself with regular checkups which are much cheaper than the treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who all are at risk of Tooth Decay?

Everyone! Yes, everyone is at a risk of tooth decay. Everyone must take precautions and dental care seriously. However, children are at a greater risk as they tend to forget brushing their teeth regularly. Also they consume a lot of candies and sweets.

Is sleep dentistry available as I’m too scared of these Tooth Decay Treatment procedures?

Yes, we do offer sleep dentistry. It is a procedure that will put you in a calm and relaxed but drowsy state. You can still move and function well but you won’t feel frightened. Worry not you won’t feel any pain while undergoing the dental procedures. We fancy ourselves as experts of sleep dentistry and our dentists will be happy to offer it to you. We specially utilize it to help our patients overcome the anxiety they feel around dentists.

Is urgent appointment possible for Tooth Decay?

Sure, it is. We, at Healthy Smiles in Blackburn, have great accommodation and a huge team of dentists. So we can accommodate you any time, without prior notice. Our team is full of energetic dentists who are always prepared for the worst and can handle any situation.

How do I know if I’m at risk of tooth decay?

Check your symptoms. To be on a safer side get yourself, a dental check up with us at Blackburn. Our team of dentists will help you assess your dental condition. It’s always better to prevent it. You can save yourself a lot of time and money this way.

Will the Tooth Decay treatment be too expensive?

The treatment for the tooth decay may vary depending on the severity of the condition. It can be either too expensive or not at all. Our dentists will examine your condition and will do our best to proceed with the best solution. Worry not if you are in financial troubles as we offer flexible payment plans to help you in paying for our services.