Tooth decay

Tooth decay | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Mouth Tooth decay Tooth decay If you have a dental problem you should, in the first instance always phone the dental practice that you normally attend . If you are not registered with any dental practice thenyou should read our advice on dental emergencies . Tooth decay can occur when acid is produced from plaque, which builds up on your teeth. If plaque is allowed to build up, it can lead to further problems, such as dental caries(holes in the teeth), gum disease or dental abscesses , which are collections of pus at the end of the teeth or in the gums. Symptoms of tooth decay Tooth decay may not cause any pain. However, if you have dental caries you might have: toothache  either continuous pain keeping you awake or occasional sharp pain without an obvious cause tooth sensitivity you may feel tenderness or pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold or sweet grey, brown or black spotsappearing on your teeth bad breath an unpleasant taste in your mouth Seeing a dentist Visit your dentist regularly, so early tooth decay can be treated as soon as possible and the prevention of decay can begin.Tooth decay is much easier and cheaperto treat in its early stages.Dentists can usually identify tooth decay andfurther problems with a simple examinationor X-ray . Find your nearest dentist Itsalso important to have regular dental check-ups . Adults should have a check-up at least once every 2 years andchildren under the age of 18 should have a check-up at least once a year. Read more on getting over a fear of the dentist Treatments for tooth decay Treatmentof tooth decay depends on how advanced it is. For early stage tooth decay  your dentist will talk to you about the amount of sugar in your diet and the times you eat. They may apply a fluoride gel, varnish or pasteto the area. Fluoridehelps to protect teeth by strengthening the enamel, making teeth more resistant to the acids from plaque that can cause tooth decay. Your dentist may discussa filling or crown with you. This involves removing the dental decay, offering local anaesthetic to numb the tooth and filling the hole. If tooth decay has spread to the pulp (in the centre of the tooth, containing blood and nerves)  this may be removed in a process known asroot canal treatment. If the tooth is so badly damaged that it cant be restored  it may need to be removed. Your dentist maybe able toreplace the tooth with a partial denture , bridge or implant. Cost of NHS treatment NHS charges are set by the government and are standard for all NHS patients. Charges are assessed each year and usually change every April. Some people dont have to pay for dental treatment, including children, pregnant womenand new mothers.Financial help may also be available to those on a low income. The cost of private dental treatment varies between practices, as there is no set charge. If you choose to see a private dentist, make sure to agree the cost before having treatment. Preventing tooth decay Although tooth decay is acommon problem, its often entirely preventable. The best way to avoid tooth decay is to keep your teeth and gums as healthy as possible. For example, you should: visit your dentist regularly  your dentist will decide how often they need to see you based on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums cut down on sugary and starchy food and drinks, particularly between meals or within an hour of going to bed  some medications can also contain sugar, so its best to look for sugar-free alternatives where possible look after your teeth and gums  brushing your teeth properly with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, using floss and an interdental brush at least once a day avoid smoking or drinking alcohol excessively  tobacco can interfere with saliva production, which helps to keep your teeth clean,and alcohol can contribute to the erosion of tooth enamel see your dentist or GPif you have a persistently dry mouth  this may be caused by certain medicines, treatment or medical conditions Read: how to keep your teeth clean reading food labels Protecting your childs teeth Establishing good eating habits by limiting sugary snacks and drinkscan help your child avoid tooth decay. Regular visits to the dentist at an early age should also be encouraged. Its important to teach your child how to clean their teeth properly and regularly. Your dentistcanshowyou how to do this. Younger children should use a childrens toothpaste, but make sure to read the label about how to use it. Children should still brush their teeth twice a day, especially before bedtime. How plaque causes tooth decay Your mouth is full of bacteria that form a film over the teeth called dental plaque. When you consume food and drink high in carbohydrates  particularly sugary foods and drinks  the bacteria in plaque turn the carbohydrates into energy they need, producing acid at the same time. If the plaque is allowed to build up, the acid can begin to break down (dissolve) the surface of your tooth, causing holes known as cavities. Once cavities have formed in the enamel, the plaque and bacteria can reach the dentine (the softer, bone-like material underneath the enamel). As the dentine is softer than the enamel, the process of tooth decay speeds up. Without treatment, bacteria will enter the pulp (the soft centre of the tooth that contains nerves and blood vessels). At this stage, your nerves will be exposed to bacteria, usually making your tooth painful. The bacteria can cause a dental abscess in the pulp and the infection could spread into the bone, causing another type of abscess . Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 05 December 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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