Signs of tooth decay?!


Question: Signs of tooth decay.?
I think I have tooth decay on one of my front teeth (on the right side in between the other teeth), i see a yellow patch (not big but very small) on it, and I think its the first sign of tooth decay, ok what is worrying me is currently i have braces, and since i can't chew gum with it, i think the decay happened because i stopped chewing gum (statistics say that chewing gum prevents decay) and i wonder if my orthodontist could repair it, would it ruin my front teeth.? Plus I already have decay in the back of the teeth but that is taken care of AFTER my braces are taken off so i have to wait while decay is hanging in the back of my mouth. What should I do.? is there a way to get rid of it, or surgery is the only option.?Health Question & Answer


Answers:
The first sign of caries(decay) is that the area of the tooth appears chalky white in color and when you pass a floss in between the teeth the floss frays. In people undergoing ortho, you might ask your orthodontist if you need a thorough cleaning by his hygienist.

So about your concern, the yellow spots might just be plaque, try cleaning it with the interdental brush (I recommend: 3M interdental brush, use the pink one bec. it is the thinnest that really goes in between the wires and the braces.)

In my practice I usually ask my patients to apply twice daily Recaldent GC tooth mousse to mineralize their teeth a month before treatment and during the entire treatment. It is to prevent the white spot lesions and decay in ortho patients. Ask your ortho about it. I include it my patients' Ortho hygiene kit.

mind if I correct you, what really makes the teeth less prone to decay is "sugar free" gumsHealth Question & Answer

Hello...To begin with..."decay" doesn't normally look "yellow"...in fact I have never seen "yellow" decay...If the spot was in the dark range of color such as gray, brown, or black...then I would think it might be decay...Of course if it's only stained tartar and is allowed to stay there for an extended period of time it could cause a spot of decay to take place.....Know this...the first two to three layers of tartar (calculus) is clear and you won't see it. Once it gets enough layers built up that is when it gathers stains you can see...Try this if you want to see how well you brush your teeth and where your not getting the job done......Place five drops of Easter egg coloring (food coloring), Red is a good one, in a teaspoon and then rinse it all around in your mouth for about one minute....spit it out and rinse with clear water...NOW, look in a mirror at your teeth...the color you rinsed with will stain any organic matter (food) in your mouth....Now you can see where you missed when you brushed. Good luck and I wish you well.Health Question & Answer



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