Dental Caries should be treated || Dr. Nasren Nipa

Dental Caries should be treated

Tooth decay (dental caries) is damage to a tooth that can happen when decay-causing bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth's surface, or enamel. This can lead to a small hole in a tooth, called a cavity.

Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. 

Tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including 

-Bacteria in your mouth, 

-Frequent snacking, 

-Sipping sugary drinks 

-Not cleaning your teeth well.

The mouth contains a wide variety of oral bacteria, but only a few specific species of bacteria cause dental caries such as 

-Streptococcus mutans  

-Lactobacillus species.

Dental caries can be spotted on two specific areas of the teeth.

they are

 

-Occlusal caries, which form on the top most part of the tooth where food particles repeatedly come in direct contact with the teeth.

-Interproximal caries, which are dental caries that form between the teeth.

In Dental Caries, a person may suffer from 

-Toothache, spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any apparent cause.

-Tooth sensitivity.

-Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold.

-Visible holes or pits in your teeth.

-Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth.

-Pain when you bite down.

Dentist can usually detect tooth decay by

-Asking about tooth pain and sensitivity.

-Examining your mouth and teeth.

-Probing your teeth with dental instruments to check for soft areas.

-Looking at dental X-rays, which can show the extent of cavities and decay

Treatment options for Dental Caries include

 

1.Fluoride treatments: 

Early-stage tooth decay, which is before a hole (or cavity) has formed in the tooth, can be reversed by reducing how much and how frequently you have sugary foods and drinks, Brushing teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.A fluoride treatment may help restore your tooth's enamel .

2.Fillings:

Remove the decayed portion of the tooth and then "fill" the area on the tooth where the decayed material once lived.

 

3.Crowns:

Dental crowns are an effective way to repair a damaged tooth. But like all dental restorations, crowns aren't meant to last forever. Eventually they will need to be replaced for a variety of reasons. In some instances, this is due to tooth decay that develops under the crown.

4.Root canals:

When decay reaches the inner material of your tooth (pulp), you may need a root canal. This is a treatment to repair and save a badly damaged or infected tooth instead of removing it. The diseased tooth pulp is removed.Medication is sometimes put into the root canal to clear any infection.

5.Tooth extractions:

Dental caries that has destroyed enough tooth structure to prevent restoration is the most frequent indication for 

extraction of teeth that is removal of a tooth from the mouth.

To prevent tooth decay,we should 

 

-Brush teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride-containing toothpaste. 

-Brush after each meal and especially before going to bed. 

-Clean between teeth daily with dental floss or interdental cleaners.

If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.