Dental Caries – What is it, Causes and Treatments

Dental Caries – What it is, Causes and Treatments that should not be ignored. Also,  dental caries  are holes and structural lesions in the teeth , which are signs of decay. Several factors can lead a person to have cavities , which is one of the most common problems in the world. Tooth decay is related to tooth demineralization , which occurs when specific types of bacteria  produce acids that destroy the tooth enamel  and the layer of the tooth  just below it, the dentin. So, check out  Dental Caries – What is it, Causes and Treatments.

Types of Tooth Decay: There are three main types of tooth decay :

Coronary Caries: This is the most common type of tooth  decay  and occurs in both children and adults. Coronary caries are located on the chewing surfaces or between the teeth .

Root Caries: As we age, the gums recede, leaving parts of the tooth  root exposed. As there is no enamel covering the roots of the tooth , these exposed areas easily deteriorate, causing root-type tooth decay .

Recurrent Caries: Deterioration can occur around existing restorations and crowns (exposed part of the tooth ). This is because these areas tend to accumulate plaque, which eventually leads to decay and, thus, tooth decay .

Causes of Dental Caries: Bacteria are naturally present in the mouth. They turn all foods, especially sugar and starch, into acids. Bacteria , acids  , food waste and saliva collect in the mouth and form a sticky substance called plaque, which adheres to the tooth . It is most prominent on the back molars, just above the gum line  on all teeth , and on the edges of fillings. Plaque that is not removed from teeth  mineralizes to form tartar. Plaque and tartar irritate the gums , resulting in gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis.

Symptoms of Tooth Decay: The main symptom of tooth decay is toothache , but in some cases it can still exist:

• Pain that gets worse when eating or drinking something sweet, cold or hot
• Presence of holes in one or more teeth ;
• Brown or white spots on the tooth surface ;
• Sensitivity when touching a tooth ;
• Swollen  and painful gums.

In the initial phase, tooth  decay  often does not present any symptoms and, therefore, when the first symptoms of tooth decay appear, it  is very important to go to the dentist immediately to confirm the diagnosis and start the appropriate treatment, avoiding complications such as a more serious infection. or the loss of a tooth .

Dental Caries Diagnosis: The best way to confirm the diagnosis of dental caries is to consult a dentist, as he may use special equipment that allows you to observe the inside of the mouth and all sides of the teeth , looking for small holes that may indicate the presence of caries . dental . Sometimes, when observing the presence of a ‘hole’ in the tooth , the dentist places an instrument with a very fine tip, inside this little hole to assess its depth and if the person feels pain. In addition, if the dental caries  is between two teeth , for example, the dentist can still do an X-ray to identify it.

Treatment for Dental Caries: The only way to treat dental caries is in a consultation with the dentist, there is no home treatment capable of eliminating it. Sometimes, just 1 session is enough to eliminate tooth decay , with a filling in the tooth , but when many teeth  are affected, the treatment can be longer and more expensive, and it may be necessary to resort to root canal treatment or even tooth removal. , which then needs to be replaced by a prosthesis.

Root canal treatment may also be recommended if a tooth ‘s nerve  stops working due to tooth decay  or injury to the tooth . The center of the tooth , including the nerve and blood vessel tissue (pulp), is removed along with the decayed parts of the tooth . The roots are filled with a sealing material. The tooth  is filled and, if necessary, a crown is placed over it.