The tooth decay process can be painless and occur over a long period of time.
Preventing tooth decay
Summary
Decay can occur in any part of the tooth, even in exposed root surfaces or around and under existing fillings.
Sometimes decay can only be detected by an x-ray examination, particularly in the early.
Common causes of tooth decay
- Not brushing your teeth properly.
- Not using a fluoride toothpaste.
- Not cleaning well between your teeth.
- Often eating or drinking things with a lot of sugar in them.
Related websites
New Zealand Dental Association
User friendly advice on oral health from the New Zealand Dental Association.
NHS Choices
Quality health information from the UK National Health Service.
Reproduced with the permission of the New Zealand Dental Association, based on the ‘Keeping Your Teeth for a Lifetime ... Easy As’ resource.
Symptoms
Look out for these warning signs:
- teeth which are often covered in food debris or plaque
- holes in teeth
- broken teeth
- brown or discoloured teeth
- tooth sensitivity to hot or cold food or drink
- difficulty chewing or eating
- toothache
- bad breath
- swelling in the face or jaw area.
If you have any of these symptoms, make an appointment to see your dentist.
Reproduced with the permission of the New Zealand Dental Association, based on the ‘Keeping Your Teeth for a Lifetime ... Easy As’ resource.
Prevention
You can easily prevent tooth decay by:
- brushing your teeth at least twice a day
- flossing daily
- using a fluoride toothpaste when brushing
- reducing how much and how often you have sugary food or drinks
- visiting your dentist regularly for check-ups.
Reproduced with the permission of the New Zealand Dental Association, based on the ‘Keeping Your Teeth for a Lifetime ... Easy As’ resource.
Resources
Keeping Your Teeth for a Lifetime ... Easy As
Available from the Healthy Smiles website.
Caring for Teeth
Available on HealthEd.