Tooth decay are permanently damaged areas on the surface of the teeth that become small openings or holes.
Tooth decay are permanently damaged areas on the surface of the teeth that become small openings or holes. Tooth decay occurs due to a combination of factors, such as bacteria in the mouth, frequent intake of snacks, sugary drinks and poor dental cleaning.
Tooth decay is one of the most frequent health problems in the world. They appear especially frequently in children, adolescents and older adults. However, all people who have teeth can have cavities, even babies.
Left untreated, cavities can spread and affect deeper layers of the teeth. They can cause severe toothache, infections, and tooth loss. The best protective measures against dental caries are regular visits to the dentist and good brushing and flossing habits.
The signs and symptoms of cavities vary, depending on size and location. When cavities start to form, you may not have any symptoms. As tooth decay increases in size, it can cause signs and symptoms, such as the following:
Toothache, sudden pain, or pain that occurs without apparent cause
Tooth sensitivity
Mild to sharp pain when you eat or drink something sweet, hot, or cold
Visible holes or holes in teeth
Brown, black, or white staining on any surface of a tooth
Pain when you bite
You may not notice that cavities are forming. So it's important to have regular dental checkups and cleanings, even when your mouth is fine. However, check with your dentist as soon as possible if you feel a toothache or sore mouth.
Dental caries is a process that occurs over time. This is how dental caries forms:
Plaque formation. Dental plaque is a clear, sticky film that covers your teeth. It is generated by eating a lot of sugars and starches and not brushing your teeth well. When sugars and starches are not cleaned from the teeth, bacteria quickly begin to feed on them and form plaque. The plaque that remains on the teeth can harden below or above the gum line and become tartar. Tartar makes plaque removal more difficult and protects bacteria.
Plaque attacks. Plaque acids remove minerals from the hard, external enamel of teeth. This erosion causes tiny openings or holes in the enamel, the first stage of caries. Once parts of the enamel wear away, bacteria and acid reach the next layer of teeth, called 'dentin.' This layer is softer than enamel and less resistant to acid. Dentin has small tubes that communicate directly with the nerve of the tooth and cause sensitivity.
The destruction continues. As tooth decay forms, bacteria and acid continue to travel through the teeth, then moving to the tooth's interior material (pulp) that contains nerves and blood vessels. The pulp becomes inflamed and irritated by bacteria. Since there is no room for inflammation to expand inside a tooth, the nerve is pinched, causing pain. The discomfort can even spread out of the tooth root, into the bone.
All people who have teeth are at risk for cavities, although the following factors may increase the chances:
Tooth location. Caries almost always appears on the back teeth (molars and premolars). These teeth have many grooves, holes, cracks, and various roots that can accumulate food particles. As a result, it is more difficult to keep them clean compared to the front teeth, which are smoother and easier to reach.
Certain foods and drinks. Foods that stick to teeth for a long time, such as milk, ice cream, honey, sugar, carbonated drinks, nuts, cake, cookies, hard candies, peppermints, cereals Dried and potato chips are more likely to cause cavities than those easily removed by saliva.
Eat or drink frequently. By eating snacks or constantly consuming sugary drinks, you provide bacteria in the mouth with more food to produce acids that attack teeth and wear them down. Also, drinking soda and other acidic drinks throughout the day helps create a continuous layer of acid on the teeth.
Feeding babies before bedtime. When babies drink bottles of milk, formula, juice, or other sugary liquids before bedtime, those drinks stay on the teeth for hours while babies sleep, feeding the cavity-causing bacteria. This damage is often called 'bottle tooth decay.' Similar damage can occur when young children walk from side to side while drinking those drinks from a glass with a spout.
Improper brushing. If you don't brush your teeth soon after eating and drinking, plaque forms quickly and the early stages of tooth decay may start to appear.
Lack of fluorine. Fluorine, a naturally occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities and can even reverse the early stages of tooth damage. Due to its benefits to teeth, fluorine is added to many water supplies. It is also a frequent component of toothpaste and mouthwash. However, bottled water generally does not contain fluorine.
Age. In the United States, cavities are common in young children and adolescents. Older adults are also at a higher risk of having them. Over time, teeth may wear out and gums will retract, making teeth more vulnerable to tooth root deterioration. Older adults can take medications that reduce salivation, increasing the risk of cavities.
Dry mouth Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, which helps prevent cavities by removing food and plaque from your teeth. Substances in saliva also help counteract the acid produced by bacteria. Some medications, some diseases, radiation to the head or neck, and certain chemotherapy drugs can increase the risk of cavities by decreasing saliva production.
Worn fillings or dental devices. Over the years, fillings may weaken, begin to break, or form rough edges. This allows plaque to accumulate more easily and makes removal difficult. Dental devices can become out of adjustment, allowing cavities to begin to form underneath them.
Heartburn. Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease can cause stomach acid to rise into the mouth (reflux), causing enamel wear and major damage to the teeth. This exposes more of the dentin to attack by bacteria and creates cavities. Your dentist may recommend that you consult your doctor to see if gastric reflux is the cause of enamel loss.
Eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia can lead to dental erosion and significant cavities. Stomach acid from repeated vomiting (purging) covers the teeth and begins to dissolve the enamel. Eating disorders can also interfere with saliva production.
Tooth decay is so frequent that you may not care. You may think that it doesn't matter if children have tooth decay. However, dental caries can have serious and lasting complications, even for those children who do not yet have permanent teeth.
Caries complications can include:
Pain
Dental abscess
Inflammation or pus around a tooth
Broken or damaged teeth
Chewing problems
Changes in tooth position after a tooth is lost
When cavities are severe, you may have:
Pain that interferes with everyday life
Weight loss or nutrition problems such as pain or difficulty eating or chewing
Loss of teeth, which can affect appearance, confidence and self-esteem
Rarely, an abscessed tooth (a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection), which can lead to more serious or even life-threatening infections
Good oral hygiene can help you prevent tooth decay. Here are some tips to help prevent cavities. Ask the dentist which tips are best for you.
Brush with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking. Brush your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after each meal, with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between the teeth.
Rinse your mouth. If your dentist thinks you are at risk for cavities, they may recommend that you use a fluoride mouthwash.
Check with your dentist regularly. Get professional dental cleanings and regular oral exams, these can help you prevent problems or detect them early. The dentist may recommend a schedule that is right for you.
Consider using dental sealants. A sealant is a protective plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth. Seals grooves and crevices that tend to accumulate food, protecting tooth enamel from plaque and acid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the use of sealants for all school-age children. While sealants can last for several years before they need to be replaced, they do have to be checked regularly.
Drink a little tap water. Most public water networks contain fluorine, which can help decrease tooth decay significantly. If you only drink bottled water that does not contain fluorine, you will miss out on the benefits of fluoride.
Avoid eating or drinking frequently. When you eat or drink drinks other than water, you help bacteria in your mouth to produce acids that can destroy tooth enamel. If you eat or drink throughout the day, your teeth are in constant attack.
Eat healthy food for your teeth. Some foods and drinks are better for teeth. Avoid foods that may get stuck in the grooves and pits of your teeth for long periods of time or brush soon after eating. However, foods like fresh fruits and vegetables increase the flow of saliva; and coffee, unsweetened tea, and sugar-free chewing gum help to clean food particles.
Consider fluoride treatments. The dentist may recommend periodic fluoride treatments, especially if you don't get fluoride through fluoridated water and other sources. He or she may also recommend trays as they are placed on your teeth for the application of prescribed fluoride if you are at very high risk of tooth decay.
Ask about antibiotic treatments. If you are especially vulnerable to dental decay from a condition, for example, the dentist may recommend special antibiotic mouthwashes or other treatments to help decrease harmful bacteria in the mouth.
Combined treatments. Xylitol-based chewing gum in combination with prescription fluorine and an antibiotic rinse can help reduce the risk of cavities.
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