Tooth Decay is caused by bacteria in your mouth living off the food you eat and producing acid as a by-product.  This acid makes holes in your teeth.  So to stop the holes, we need to stop the bacteria:

• Brush twice daily minimum (once before breakfast, once last thing at night) to clean off the bacteria.  Floss also helps hard to reach areas.
• Eat three meals daily and give your teeth a rest between meals by not snacking.  Any acid produced by the bacteria can be neutralised by the saliva in your mouth.
• Strengthen your teeth with extra fluoride available in mouthwashes (consult your dentist before doing this, especially regarding children)

Early holes can be stabilised by your dentist painting the tooth with highly concentrated fluoride.  Some proenamel toothpastes (eg Sensodyne Proenamel/Arm and Hammer Liquid Calcium) can actually help to repair these tiny holes.  When repair occur, dietary stain can be incorporated into your tooth leaving a brown spot which can be cosmetically treated by your dentist.

Pits and fissures (the cracks on the large molar teeth at the back of the mouth) can be painted with fissure sealants.  This can be done on the NHS if decay is present.

If no decay is present, we will still offer to seal these at risk areas on teeth for a cost of £5 (per tooth) as a preventative measure to stop decay occurring as shown below..

Larger cavities can be filled with a variety of materials including cosmetic fillings starting from a cost of  £50.

Cosmetic replacement of metal fillings

Teeth with decay are usually sensitive to temperature.  If decay has reached deep into your tooth the nerve may be inflamed in which case the dentist may recommend a root canal treatment to solve the problem shown below..

If decay progresses further it can pass through the root of the tooth and make an abscess.  The tooth can be tender to bite down on and a swelling on the gum may occur shown below.

You should consult your dentist as soon as possible

if you suspect you have any holes in your teeth.