What are Dental Cavities?

By: Ken Hurt

Total Views: 181, Word Count: 742,

Dental cavities can occur at any age. Dental cavities are also known as tooth decay. Dental cavities are serious in nature and if not treated in time can result in tooth loss. Teeth form a complex structure since they are made up of phosphates, calcium and other vital components.

Reasons for dental cavities-

1. Tooth decay occurs due to poor dental hygiene, amount of fluoride in the toothpaste used and the kind of food eaten.
2. People who suffer from dry mouth are at a higher risk of tooth decay, since the protective effect of saliva is absent. Dry mouth is the result of illness, radiation treatment and medications. Dry mouth is also known to occur in tobacco users, since tobacco uses up the saliva in the mouth leaving it without moisture.
3. Dental cavities on most occasions are known to occur on the type of food we consume. If food items eaten are rich in starch, sugar, sweets and aerated drinks the occurrence of dental cavities is more likely. 
4. The food items which are rich in sugar constitute bacteria found in plaque, which in turn produces acids that eat through the teeth present in the mouth. Acid is extremely detrimental to the teeth, since it can eat through the enamel and the dentin. Acid has the ability to destroy the teeth till there is nothing left to the teeth.
5. Cavities are known to develop in the pits of chewing areas, between the teeth, near the gum line and around the back teeth. Dental cavities when not treated in time result in an abscess. An abscess along with infecting the root tip can also result in death in severe cases.

Some tips to prevent dental cavities-

1. Dental checkups: It would be wise to have routine dental checkups, as your dentist would check for dental cavities. Since most dental cavities develop below the gums, it is impossible to see the cavities with the naked eye.
2. Diet modification: You must work towards modifying your diet to reduce the onset of cavities. You can reduce the intake of sugar and sugar containing products to avoid bacteria. By reducing the intake of sugar, you are in turn minimising the constant supply of acid in your mouth.
3. Include fluorides: Fluorides when introduced for oral health are known to make the teeth resistant to acid attacks. People who drink fluoridated water are shown to have lesser cavities when compared to people to do not have fluoridated water. Fluorides can be applied topically on the tooth surface in the form of gels, mouth rinses and tooth pastes.

4. Oral hygiene: Taking simple measures towards oral hygiene would prevent the formation of bacteria which are present in the plaque and tartar on the tooth. With regular flossing and brushing in the right manner one can prevent bacteria from forming.

Dental cavities can also occur due to family history of tooth decay. People can inherit tooth problems when the problems have been passed down from earlier generations. It would be most beneficial to protect your teeth along with positive measures towards oral hygiene.

 

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.

---

Advice Rating: Not yet rated
Login to vote

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

Enter the code shown