Tooth decay doesn’t halt for emergencies. In fact, the upheaval and disruptions caused by events like natural disasters, extended power outages, or conflict zones can leave communities even more vulnerable to oral health issues. When regular access to professional urgent dental care is limited or interrupted entirely, tooth decay can escalate, causing severe pain and potentially serious infections. Being prepared means having the knowledge to prevent, recognize, and manage tooth decay in less than ideal conditions.
What Contributes to Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay occurs when plaque – a sticky film of bacteria – accumulates on teeth. These bacteria feed on sugary foods and drinks we consume, producing acids that wear away at tooth enamel. Once enamel is compromised, decay spreads rapidly through the softer inner layers of the tooth. Both genetics and lifestyle factors determine how susceptible our teeth are to decay-causing acids. Proper oral hygiene like brushing, flossing, and cutting back on sugar are essential in preventing issues.
Warning Signs of Tooth Decay
Be vigilant in monitoring your oral health during emergencies. Symptoms like sensitivity to hot and cold foods, visible cavities or holes in teeth, pain and soreness, and bad breath could indicate tooth decay. The faster you catch decay, the more effectively you can treat it at home. Allowing decay to escalate leads to unmanageable pain, possible abscesses and infection, gum bleeding, and eventual tooth loss in severe cases.
Prevention Tips and Treatments
Without regular dental care, you’ll need to be even more diligent with emergency prevention:
- Do brush twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste
- Gently floss between teeth daily
- Swish water around the mouth after eating/drinking to clear food debris
- Limit snacking frequency whenever possible
- Use saltwater rinses to kill bacteria; add a pinch of salt to water
- Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva flow
- Cease tobacco product usage
If you suspect a cavity, rinse with warm salt water and dab a small amount of toothpaste on it. Ibuprofen can temporarily relieve pain. Clove oil also has mild pain-numbing effects. Should you develop swelling, uncontrolled pain, or other worrying symptoms, seek emergency dental help, as you may require antibiotics or a filling.
While emergencies defy preventative health routines, be vigilant about oral hygiene. Catching decay early and taking action helps avoid the severe repercussions of uncontrolled tooth decay.
Causes of Tooth Decay
Bacteria – The main culprit behind tooth decay is Streptococcus mutans, bacteria routinely found in the mouth. It feeds on carbohydrates from foods/drinks and produces acid that erodes tooth enamel. When oral hygiene is lacking, bacteria rapidly multiply and spread, increasing acid erosion and subsequent decay.
Sugary Foods – Frequent snacking and sipping on sugary or starchy foods feeds decay-causing bacteria. Soda, candy, dried fruit, milk, cake and other carbohydrate-rich items provide the fuel they need to rapidly produce enamel-damaging acid.
Poor Oral Hygiene – Insufficient brushing and flossing allows plaque to accumulate along and between teeth. This bacteria-rich sticky film then releases increasing levels of decay-causing acid.
Dry Mouth – Saliva helps neutralize mouth acid and wash away food debris. Certain health conditions, medications, and aging can cause chronic dry mouth. Without saliva protection and cleansing, teeth are more decay prone.
Genetics – Tooth enamel thickness and composition differs among people, with some naturally having more acid-resistant teeth. Enamel issues and small tooth surface irregularities also influence decay risk.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
Sensitivity – Moderate decay erodes away some enamel and dentin, exposing nerve-rich inner tooth layers. Hot, cold, or sweet foods/drinks trigger temporary sensitivity and pain.
Visible Damage – External holes, pits, brown or white spots indicate underlying decay eating away tooth structure beneath the enamel surface layer.
Soreness – Low-grade chronic tooth pain ranging from mild to severe indicates pulp inflammation within the tooth, as decay nears the tooth’s inner nerves.
Bad Breath – The bacteria feeding on trapped food debris in the mouth produce sulfur compounds resulting in an unpleasant odor.
Emergency Tooth Decay Prevention
Brush Regularly – Meticulous twice daily brushing removes plaque buildup before it hardens into tartar. Use short, gentle motions covering every surface, angling brush bristles beneath the gumlines.
Floss When Possible – While flossing requires some tooth contact, be gentle. Flossing clears bacteria and food debris between teeth that brushing misses.
Rinse After Eating/Drinking – Swish water around every area of the mouth, cleaning away lingering acidic food particles. Finish meals with water instead of sugary drinks.
Limit Snacking – Constant snacking gives bacteria endless fuel for acid attacks. Avoid grazing throughout the day.
Use Saltwater Rinses – The antibacterial properties of salt make it effective for killing germs. Rinse mouth with a pinch of salt dissolved in tepid water.
Chew Gum – Chewing boosts saliva flow to wash away bacteria and neutralize lingering acid, preventing it from demineralizing enamel. Choose sugar-free gum.
Stop Tobacco – Smoking introduces its own oral bacteria while drying the mouth, together increasing decay risk substantially. Tobacco usage should cease whenever possible.
Don’t Brush Off Dental Emergencies: Contact Emergency Dentist London Pro Immediately
Dental emergencies like uncontrolled tooth decay should never be brushed aside, even when professional care is limited. While at-home prevention and pain relief methods provide temporary relief, they cannot replace the expertise of emergency dentistry professionals. Should tooth decay symptoms escalate into facial swelling, fever, bleeding gums, or unmanaged pain, seeking emergency dental treatment becomes vital.
This is where Walk in Emergency Dentists London has over a decade of experience assisting patients dealing with dental emergencies throughout London. Their team of dentists offer emergency exams, same-day treatments, and rapid referrals to specialists 24/7. Whether you have a painful abscess, damaged tooth crowns, lost fillings, or broken dentures, they provide urgent solutions to eradicate infections and oral pain. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Emergency Dentist London Pro implemented rigorous disinfection protocols to keep patients safe while serving dental emergencies.
Rather than waiting out excruciating toothaches or risk complications from infections, contact Emergency Dentist London Pro right away at 07885532883 for emergency assistance, even beyond normal surgery hours. Their knowledgeable dentists promptly diagnose issues and provide appropriate antibiotics, pain relief treatments, temporary repairs, extractions, or follow-up referrals. They understand the stresses of coping with dental emergencies and make treatment as comfortable as possible.
