 A
few hours after brushing, bacteria and food particles
form plaque on the surface of your teeth. These bacteria
produce an acid that erodes the calcium
in the tooth’s
enamel and leads to the formation
of minute cavities.
If left untreated, the acid will eventually eat through
the tooth’s enamel, and
begin eroding the dentin
beneath it.
Because the dentin is porous, it is eroded much faster
than the overlaying enamel; so a large cavity could
be forming inside the tooth without showing many visible
signs.
As the decay continues, bacteria migrates through the
porous dentin and infects the pulp. When your body launches
an immune response to the infection, the blood vessels
around the tooth enlarge and press against the nerves
entering the tooth causing tooth-ache.
If the infection proceeds and a significant amount
of bacteria invades the pulp, then the tooth and nerve
may die and an abscess may form.
Tooth decay usually does not pose a serious health
risk if treated early; however, if the decay is allowed
to progress, the tooth will likely die, and the spreading
infection may result in general blood poisoning, fever,
swelling in the face and neck, and a general feeling
of unwell.
The best treatment is prevention. Through proper brushing,
flossing and dental visits - the chances of significant
dental decay are greatly reduced.
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