When it comes to oral health, timing is everything.

Tooth decay does not happen overnight. It develops gradually and, in its early stages, is often painless and difficult to notice. But spotting decay early and taking action quickly can make a huge difference to your long-term oral health. During Smile Month, we’re partnering with VVARDIS to help raise awareness about the importance of early intervention in oral health and why treating tooth decay early can help protect your natural teeth for longer.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay begins when you eat or drink foods that contain sugar. The bacteria in plaque react with this sugar and produce plaque acids, and these plaque acids make holes in your teeth.

In the early stages, tooth decay may not cause any pain or obvious symptoms. Many people do not realise there is a problem until the decay reaches deeper layers of the tooth where the nerves are located, causing pain.

That is why regular dental check-ups are so important.

Why early intervention matters

Catching tooth decay early gives dentists the best chance to stop it progressing before more invasive treatment is needed.

Early intervention can:

• Help avoid fillings, root canal treatment or tooth loss.
• Protect and preserve more of the natural tooth.
• Reduce discomfort and future dental costs.
• Support better overall health and wellbeing. Once tooth enamel is lost, it cannot grow back naturally. The sooner signs of decay are spotted, the more chance there is to strengthen and protect the tooth before permanent damage occurs.

What happens when decay is spotted early?

Early detection is only part of the story.

When tooth decay is identified in its earliest stages, when the disease has already started weakening and damaging the enamel, dentists can use, minimally invasive treatments to help stop the decay from getting worse and protect the tooth. Depending on the severity of the decay, treatment may include fluoride treatments to help strengthen the enamel surface, protective sealants that create a barrier against further damage, and resin-based treatments that help stop early decay from progressing. In some cases, biomimetic peptide-based treatments can be used to help strengthen and repair weakened areas of the tooth in the early stages of decay

These approaches are designed to protect as much of the natural tooth as possible and help patients avoid more extensive dental treatment later on.

How dentists spot tooth decay early

Dentists use several methods to identify tooth decay before it becomes a bigger problem.

Visual checks

Dentists use bright lights and magnification to look for early signs of damage, including white patches or dark spots on the teeth.

Dental X-rays

X-rays can reveal decay hidden between teeth or underneath the tooth surface, where it cannot easily be seen.

Checking the tooth surface

Dentists may gently examine teeth for softer areas that could indicate early decay.

Drying the teeth

Using air to dry the teeth can help highlight weakened areas of enamel that may need attention.

How to lower your risk of tooth decay

A few simple daily habits can help keep your teeth healthy:

• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, especially before bed;
• Clean between your teeth once a day;
• Cut down on sugary foods and drinks, and,
• Visit your dentist as often as recommended.

In summary

By spotting the early signs of damage and taking action quickly, dentists may be able to protect and strengthen teeth to help minimise the risk of more invasive treatments in the future. That is why regular dental check-ups matter, even when your teeth feel healthy.

Working in partnership with professional organisations, like vVardis, helps the Oral Health Foundation reach more people with crucial information about good oral hygiene habits and the benefits of early intervention.

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Find out more about our Smile Month partners VVARIDIS at www.vvardis.com.