Dental Cavities
By: Ken HurtTotal Views: 199, Word Count: 547,
Cavities are holes or structural damage in your teeth. You should immediately see a dentist in case of dental cavities. Bacteria in your dental plaque ferment the food particles that remain in your mouth causing acid formation. This acid comes in contact with the enamel and dissolves it forming a hole. This hole is dental cavity or dental caries. Superficial dental cavities are formed within the outermost enamel layer of your tooth. If your dental cavity grows into the softer inner layers, it may require tooth restoration with a filling.
As your dental cavity becomes bigger, it will penetrate the dentin layer. When it reaches the nerve chamber at the center of your tooth, you will have severe toothache. This may require root canal therapy or an extraction.
Alternative names
1. Caries
2. Tooth decay
3. Dental cavities
Causes
Tooth decay commonly causes cavities. Bacteria in your mouth convert sugar and starch in your food into acids. These bacteria, food debris and saliva combine into a sticky substance called as plaque. Plaque sticks to your teeth above the gum lines, and at edges of your teeth. It when not removed mineralizes into tartar also causing tooth decay. It irritates gums and result in gingivitis.
The acids dissolve the enamel surface of your tooth and create holes i.e. tooth cavities. These are painless initially, but later on grow large and affect nerves or cause a tooth fracture. A tooth abscess can develop destroying the internal structure of your tooth.
Symptoms
1. Toothache after consuming sweet, hot or cold foods and drinks
2. Pits and holes in teeth
Examination and detection
If you do your check up regularly, cavities can be detected at an early stage. The surface of your tooth may be soft when probed with a sharp instrument. You may experience pain only in the later stages.Dental x rays show cavities before they are visible to the eye.
Complications
1. Inability to bite food
2. Severe pain
3. Fractured tooth
4. Tooth abscess
Treatment
Timely treatment is of utmost importance in case of dental health. This will prevent tooth damage from developing into cavities.
1. Dental Filling
2. Dental Crowns
3. Root canal
Dentist will fill teeth by removing the decayed tooth material in your mouth. The material is drilled and replaced with silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, or composite resin. The later matches easily with your natural teeth and hence are preferred for front teeth. Metals and composite resin are strong and are usually used as filling the teeth at the back.
Dental Crowns or caps are used in cases of extensive decay or limited tooth structure that causes week teeth. If there are large fillings in between week teeth, there is a risk of tooth breaking. Hence dentists remove the decayed and week area and fit a crown. Crowns can be made of gold, porcelain or porcelain attached to metal.
Root canal is done if the nerve present in the tooth dies from decay or injury. The nerve, center of your tooth and blood vessels is removed along with the decayed portion of your tooth. Roots are then filled with any sealing material. Tooth is filled and crown is placed.
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