Dental Caries
By: Ken HurtTotal Views: 363, Word Count: 984,
Dental caries is also known as tooth decay or cavity. This is a disease in which bacteria damage your hard tooth structure, enamel, dentin and cementum. These tissues then break down and result in dental cavities. It leads to a lot of tooth pain, tooth decay, gum disease, and loss of teeth. Dental cavity is one of the most common dental problems and you should see a dentist immediately to avoid further complications.
Causes of dental caries
- Tooth decay is caused by specific acid producing bacteria namely, streptococcus and lactobacillus. These bacteria cause damage in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates like sucrose, fructose and glucose. Mineral content of teeth is very sensitive to the increase in the acidity due to production of lactic acid.
- Initially you may see some chalky area which eventually develops into large cavitations. Carries are directly visible sometimes. Your dentist can detect them with radiographs.
Types of dental caries
There are many types of dental carries. They can be classified by location, etiology, progression and affected tissue. Your dentist will characterize your dental decay more accurately and also indicate the severity of tooth destruction.
Location of dental caries
- Caries found on smooth surfaces
- Caries found in pits and fissures
Symptoms of dental caries
You may not even be aware of your dental caries. The first sign is the appearance of chalky white spots on tooth surface, which indicate to the area of demineralization.
- Initially you may see some chalky area which eventually develops into large cavitations. Carries are directly visible sometimes. Your dentist can detect them with radiographs.
- The lesion continues, turns brown and eventually turns into a cavity. The process is reversible before the formation of cavity. Tooth structure cannot be regenerated once it is lost and cavity is formed.
- The tooth enamel and dentin get destroyed and cavity becomes noticeable. The affected areas of your tooth change their color and become soft.
- Decay passes from tooth enamel to dentinal tubules. The exposed area starts hurting when exposed to sweet foods, heat or cold.
Causes of dental caries
Dental caries can occur on any surface of your tooth that is exposed to the oral cavity. Different individuals suffer different degrees depending upon the shape of their teeth, oral hygiene habits and buffering capacity of saliva. There are four different criteria for caries formation.
- Tooth surface
- Caries causing bacteria
- Fermentable carbohydrates
- Time
Treatment
- Restorative treatment of caries does not cure it. It needs to be managed with help of patients over the challenges of a life time. Caries process can be managed over time in an individualized way for each patient.
- Local anesthetics may be required to relieve pain during or following the treatment.
- Dental drill is used to remove large portions of decayed material from tooth
- After removal of dental decay, dental restoration is done
Prevention of dental caries
As the destroyed tooth structure is not fully regenerated, it is more important that you prevent formation of dental caries.
- Oral hygiene minimizes any etiologic agents in the mouth. Hence you should brush and floss your teeth regularly. Brushing removes any food particles in the teeth and thus removes carbohydrates required by bacteria. Dental floss will remove plaque from areas that develop proximal caries.
- Use of mouth wash and water picks are also effective in preventing gum disease and tooth decay
- Professional hygiene care like regular dental check up and cleaning are also very important
- Minimize your snacking as it continuously supplies nutrition to the etiologic agents in the mouth
- Avoid any sticky or chewy foods with a lot of sugar
- Brush your teeth after meals and before you bed
Dental caries can be avoided by proper oral hygiene. This article on dental provides you information about dental caries.
About the Author
Dr. Ken Hurt is a well known dentist and has been in this field since 1995. He is graduated in doctor of dental medicine from London University. His interest lies in cosmetic dentistry, gum and teeth replacement, children dentistry, drug therapy, psychology in dentistry, oral surgery and pathology.
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