Dental Decalcification: Know its causes and treatments with the best dentists in Tijuana
We must keep in mind that calcium is a mineral of utmost importance for different processes in our body, the formation of the bone system and teeth as well as the proper functioning of the nervous system.
This mineral is concentrated in 99% of the bones that make up our body and teeth, in the case of the latter it is in the form of "hydroxyapatite".
This is an element formed by calcium and phosphates that allows it to give the characteristic shape and hardness to each and every one of our dental pieces. The absorption of calcium and phosphate is of importance from the first months of gestation and is carried out with the help of vitamin D.
A balanced absorption of these elements will help the correct development of our child's temporary teeth, once they make the transition to permanent teeth.
What is dental decalcification of teeth? This you should know
Hypocalcemia or also known as calcium deficiency disorder, or popularly as dental decalcification, is a medical condition that consists of a decrease or lack of calcium in the body.
This condition is characterized by the weakening of bones and hard tissues, and can also negatively affect our nervous and muscular activity.
Among the symptoms of dental decalcification we can find numbness of the mouth, hands and feet, weak nails, acute back pain, among many others...
But in addition to this, it also produces enormous consequences in your oral cavity, as is the decalcification of the teeth. This condition weakens the dental structure due to a deficiency of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus.
It occurs when the enamel mineralization process is inefficient or is interrupted for some reason, we must keep in mind that this problem should be addressed as soon as possible.
Usually we can notice white spots on the surface of the teeth, in older children and adults, this could be the result of plaque stuck to the tooth for a long time.
The enamel that protects our teeth from daily wear and tear is made up of several minerals, among them we can find calcium and phosphorus. Dental decalcification weakens the enamel, producing those white spots.
Symptoms of dental decalcification
The low levels of calcium in our organism produce the progressive softening of our teeth, which in turn increases the probability of the development of caries
In the first stage of tooth decalcification, white spots appear on the teeth, which over time become opaque
In the long term, the white spots may change color to a yellowish or brownish shade, which are quite noticeable
In severe cases we can notice an enormous increase in the mobility of the teeth, even some teeth may become loose
In some cases you may feel some sharp pains due to cavities, these are more frequent in children
Causes of dental decalcification
Lack of calcium and other minerals in the teeth can be caused by multiple factors, among them we can find:
Frequent consumption of sugary and acidic beverages
Drinks such as fruit juices contain large amounts of sugars and acids, these elements seriously affect the enamel of your teeth and, if consumed frequently, will decrease the presence of calcium and phosphorus on the tooth surface.
In this way we will be contributing to the development of an ideal environment for the proliferation of bacteria in the mouth and on the surface of the teeth. Dental decalcification increases the chances of developing caries.
It is also common to notice an increased sensitivity to some types of very cold or hot foods.
Poor oral hygiene
Having bad oral hygiene makes the bacterial plaque that is produced on your teeth increase, this generates a notorious decalcification and demineralization of the teeth.
Uso de brackets
Although braces are a very effective orthodontic and maxillary orthopedic treatment, when they are removed, decalcification may have occurred in the area where they were before. For this reason some patients notice a white spot in the center of their teeth.
Orthodontics in those patients with dental decalcification may also be due to not following a good dental hygiene routine.
Poor nutrition
If you do not have a balanced diet that provides you with the amounts of calcium and phosphorus that your body requires, dental decalcification may be imminent.
For this reason it is important that you consume foods rich in minerals or some supplements that contain them, so you can enjoy strong and healthy teeth.
Gastric reflux
If you are one of those patients who suffer from heartburn and have reflux, keep in mind that stomach acid progressively demineralizes all your teeth.
Low saliva levels
Saliva has very important functions within the proper functioning of our mouth, it acts as a natural cleanser.
During gestation
In the youngest children, dental decalcification is usually due to problems during their development when they were in the process of gestation. If this happens there is nothing parents can do, just manage the condition with extreme care.
Lack of professional intervention ProDent is your best solution!
Skipping regular cleanings with your dentist can cause plaque buildup, and the orthodontist should know how to place brackets to prevent tooth decay or detect if this problem is occurring.
Do you need to make an appointment with an expert in oral health problems? Contact us right now and leave your problems in our hands.
Treatments for dental decalcification
Dental decalcification can occur at any age, but it is children, the elderly and pregnant women who are most likely to suffer from this condition.
Although there are no specific treatments for this condition, there are some ways to prevent it and treat it to improve progressively.
Significantly improve your oral hygiene
The best way to prevent and treat the consequences of dental decalcification is to have a good oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing and mouthwash.
In this way you can prevent the accumulation of plaque on your teeth, thus eliminating the residues of sugars, starch and acids.
The best dentists in Tijuana that you can find at ProDent recommend having your teeth professionally cleaned at least every 9 months.
Use specific dental hygiene products
There are toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain fluoride, calcium, phosphates and other types of components that will actively help you to protect your mouth from tooth decalcification caused by external agents such as stomach acid.
These types of products also help to replenish weakened enamel and promote the absorption of minerals into your teeth, which will help keep them much stronger and healthier.
Moderate the consumption of sugary and acidic foods
Quickly reduce the consumption of foods and beverages with a high sugar, starch or too much acid content.
Lime and orange juices, energy drinks, vinegar, wine, soy and coffee are some of the foods that you should consume moderately and infrequently to avoid possible dental decalcification of your teeth.
We recommend foods such as apples, celery, carrots and pears because they contain fiber, which helps remove plaque and impurities from the teeth and also freshens breath.
Consume foods rich in calcium and other nutrients
All foods that contain lactose can provide your body with good percentages of calcium and vitamin D. Cheese, yogurt and milk greatly reduce the possibility of dental decalcification and increase the hardness of your teeth.
The calcium from all these foods mixes with plaque and then adheres to your teeth, creating a protective coating.
We must also highlight the importance of consuming foods rich in vitamin C, which helps keep your gums and other tissues healthy.
Maintain optimal saliva production
The mineralization process of the teeth can be greatly affected by factors such as an excessively acid pH in the mouth, high levels of bacterial plaque on the surface of the teeth and others. But one of the elements capable of regulating them is saliva.
To maintain a correct production of saliva it is important that you consume a lot of water, you can also chew sugarless gum or eat nuts.
Knowing more about oral conditions such as dental decalcification helps you to prevent it and to know how to act in case you suffer from it.
In case you need to make an appointment with an expert, do it with the best dentists in Tijuana that ProDent Dental Clinic can offer you.