WHAT IS TOOTH CARIES? And ITS TREATMENT

 

Cavities also called Dental Caries are permanently spoiled areas in the hard shell of your teeth that grow into tiny openings or holes. When the cavities are seen in a baby's mouth they are called milk teeth cavities. 

It generally happens when the parents give feeders to their children at bedtime and don’t follow proper cleaning habits. These cavities form after the acids in the mouth erode the harder surface of the teeth and wear off the teeth' enamel. 

There is a combination of factors that are the causes of dental caries like bacteria in your mouth; frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not cleaning your teeth well. Cavities results in dental decay where the patient may face:

• Inability to chew hard material

• Tooth sensitivity,

• Toothache,

• Sharp pain while eating or having cold, hot, sweet food items

• Holes in the teeth

Molar tooth cavitiy also called pit and fissure cavities are formed on the top surface of back teeth. They affect the anterior and posterior parts of the teeth located on the backside. The innermost layer of teeth that contains tissues and nerves is called the pulp. 

When this area is attacked by tooth decay, it develops into the pulp cavity of teeth. It has two parts pulp chamber and root canals. The interproximal cavity is a cavity between two teeth. When the cavities grow on the root surfaces of teeth they are referred to as Root Cavities.

They are small in the earlier stages and grow bigger gradually if left untreated. Sometimes the person does not realize that he is suffering from the problem of cavities which worsens the situation. Dental caries is caused by:

1. Having too many sugary, acidic food items that convert carbohydrates to acids

2. Not maintaining good oral hygiene causes dissolvation of the enamel

3. Missing fluoride

4. Eating disorders

5. Issues of Acid reflux

DENTAL CAVITY TREATMENT

Treatment for tooth decay depends on the location, extent of damage, and severity of the issue. The treatment includes:

Remineralization- means repairing the tooth enamel with fluoride treatments.

Dental Fillings -that fills the hole in the tooth with a material made up of metal, ceramic, resin, or composite.

Root Canal Treatment- involves removal of pulp that contains cavity and causes pain

Extraction of Teeth- when the above treatment fails to solve the issue, the dentists recommend pulling out the teeth and replacing them with a dental implant.

PREVENTING DENTAL CARIES

• Brushing your teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste 

• Use dental floss or interdental cleaners to clean in between the teeth

• Rinse your mouth with a mouthwash

• Avoid sugary, acidic foods and eat balanced meals

• Maintain proper oral hygiene

• Visit your dentist regularly

Dental caries is a major issue of concern. It can affect people irrespective of their age and lifestyle. To prevent them at the earliest is the cure. But in case of serious issues, you must consult your dental doctor for his recommendations.