Tooth Decay – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention
Posted on December 31, 2008
Tooth decay also known as dental caries or
cavities is a common disease which affects a large percentage of the world
population. It is widespread and generally occurs due to poor oral habits.
It is widespread and
generally occurs due to poor oral habits. Tooth decay is the demineralization
of tooth by the acid releasing bacteria. These acids cause the tooth to decay.
The decay begins on the outer surface of the tooth and progresses to deeper
layers.
Causes of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is not a suddenly
occurring event. It occurs due to a constantly acting cause such as poor oral
habits. Poor oral hygiene causes formation of plaque which is responsible for
initiating caries formation. The organisms responsible for causing tooth decay
are Streptococcus Mutans and Lactobacillus.
These bacteria release acids
which initiates the decay of the teeth. The leading cause of caries is poor
oral hygiene. Not brushing often and improper brushing leads to poor oral
hygiene. Not rinsing after meals, excessive intake of starch and sugary diet,
smoking also contributes to tooth decay.
Symptoms of Tooth Decay
Initially, there are no
symptoms of tooth decay till it has progressed extensively. A white chalky spot
may appear on the tooth which indicates dissolution of the outer layer of tooth
which is the enamel. The white chalky spot appears in only few cases and not in
all.
As the tooth decay
progresses, this white chalky spot turns brown due to further decay. The demineralization
causes the area to become soft. The decay progresses in to deeper layers. When
the decay has progressed in to deeper layers where nerves are present, it
causes pain and sensitivity.
Prevention of Tooth Decay
The best way to prevent
dental caries is by following a proper oral care routine. This will ensure good
oral hygiene which best keeps dental caries at bay.
You don’t have to try
anything fancy to maintain a good oral hygiene. Just sticking to the basics of
oral hygiene would do such as brushing your teeth two times a day. Flossing
your teeth at least once every alternate day. Regular dental check ups by the
dentist at least once in three months.
When the patient is at risk
of developing tooth decay, the dentist can take certain measures to protect the
patient such as:
-Topical Fluoride: Applying Fluoride in the form of Stannous
Fluoride on the tooth surface which
prevents caries. This occurs due to the strengthening of the enamel by
formation of fluoropatite.
-Fissure Sealants (Dental Sealants): These are applied on chewing surfaces of the molars
(which are at high risk of developing caries).This prevents Plaque formation.
This is especially done in children
Treatment of Tooth Decay
It is essential to identify
whether specific habits are causing dental decay. These can be checked to
prevent future occurrences of tooth decay.
Fillings: The tooth structure which
has decayed cannot be recovered and must be replaced by a restorative material.
This treatment is called Filling or restoration. The decayed part of the tooth
is removed and filled by a suitable restorative material such as amalgam or
composite.
Root Canal Treatment (RCT): If tooth decay has progressed to the nerves , an RCT
is suggested. The entire pulp is removed and filled with inert material and
sealed. A cap is also applied in most cases.
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Tags: acids, bacteria, care routine, causes of tooth decay, cavities, common disease, demineralization, dental caries, dissolution, excessive intake, good oral hygiene, nerves, oral care, oral habits, outer surface, poor oral hygiene, starch, streptococcus mutans, symptoms of tooth decay, world population
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