Aging is a natural factor in why teeth may turn yellowish and start eroding. But some things speed up the process, such as poor dental hygiene, food and beverage consumption, and harmful habits to teeth. Also, neglecting early signs of dental issues is typical, which is why numerous people lose their pearly whites. Here are the five stages of tooth decay for you to understand it more.
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WHITE SPOTS
Tooth enamel is the outermost and hardest part of your teeth. Therefore, it is the first one that gets wrecked. In this stage, you will start seeing white spots on the damaged teeth due to the build-up of plaques. It can cause demineralization of tooth enamel. However, you can still prevent this from worsening by cleaning your teeth using Mysmile Teeth Whitening Strips. It can gently remove intrinsic stains and even offers you a whiter smile.
- TOOTH ENAMEL DETERIORATION
If you ignore the white spots, they will turn brown, and your enamel will deteriorate further. Small holes can also start appearing, called cavities or dental caries. You should consult a professional dentist to prevent them from deepening.
- DENTIN DECAY
Dentin is a softer tissue than enamel. Additionally, this layer is composed of microscopic tubules connecting to the teeth' nerves. With that, tooth decay becomes faster and more painful, allowing you to start experiencing tooth sensitivity.
- PULP DAMAGE
All nerves and blood vessels of your teeth can be found in this innermost layer - pulp. It is responsible for the sensation in teeth, which is why it could become more painful. If tooth decay reaches here, you may start experiencing tooth swelling, changes in tooth color, and an unpleasant tooth smell.
- ABSCESS
This stage is severe and requires proper treatment as it can affect other bones in the head, neck, and jaw. It is the most painful since the bacteria reaches the tooth roots, causing an infection. You most likely need tooth removal so that the infection won't spread.
Have you ever found yourself in one of the stages of tooth decay? If then, what was it like? Please share it with us in the comments; we would be honored to assist you if you need care.
