How To Spot Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a problem that can affect anyone at any time so it’s important that you know what to look out for and how to prevent it. Going to see one of the private dentists in Manchester regularly is a good way of making sure your teeth and mouth remain healthy.

One of the difficulties with dental decay is that you may not actually have any serious symptoms until the situation has reached an advanced stage, but you might experience toothache or sensitivity (such as when eating something hot, cold or sweet). You could also notice black, brown or grey spots showing up on your teeth, bad breath or a nasty taste in your mouth.

It’s important that you make an appointment to see your dentist as soon as you can if you think you have tooth decay, as if left untreated it could lead to other more serious problems, such as dental abscesses or gum disease.

The decay itself is caused by a build-up of plaque on your teeth through the consumption of food and drink that is high in carbohydrates. The acid in the plaque can break down the surface of the tooth and then make its way into the softer part in the middle of your tooth, causing real damage.

In order to prevent this from happening, brush with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day and make sure that you use floss at least once a day. Don’t rinse out with mouthwash or water as this gets rid of the protective toothpaste and do your best to cut down on sugary food and drink, particularly within one hour of going to bed and between meal times.