If these debris is not removed by brushing the teeth, the bacteria in the mouth transform the sugars of these debris into acid residues that attack the teeth enamel, creating a hole in the teeth. If a...
If these debris is not removed by brushing the teeth, the bacteria in the mouth transform the sugars of these debris into acid residues that attack the teeth enamel, creating a hole in the teeth. If appropriate care is not given quickly, the hole gets bigger and the decay spreads to the dentin, which is under the enamel. If the infection makes its way to the bone or the gum, it results in a dental abscess, a very painful problem.
Tooth Decay and Symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms, we advise you to consult a dentist as soon as possible:
The symptoms vary and depend on its stage. The stitches that can be felt appear when the pulp is no longer protected and then becomes very sensitive.
What are the causes of decay?
The causes of tooth decay are many, but a diet rich in sugar (especially sugar consumed between meals) and poor oral hygiene are the main causes. The food residue on the teeth, combined with bacteria already present in the mouth, is the starting point for tooth decay, hence the importance of brushing teeth well after each meal.
Other factors, such as lack of fluoride, eating disorders (bulimia and anorexia) and gastric reflux can weaken tooth enamel, opening the door to caries formation.
How do you know if you have a decay?
The symptoms are very variable and depend on the course and severity of the infection. At the initial stage, decay will go undetected, but as it progresses it may cause some of the following symptoms:
What are the treatments?
Dental Caries Detection early enough requires a simple seal. The dentist then removes the infected part and fills the hole with an amalgam (metal seal) or a composite (natural colored resin). On the other hand, if decay is at a later stage, root canal treatment and crown placement may be required. And if unfortunately, the infection has had time to destroy a large part of the root, the dentist will have to extract the tooth. The hole left may then be filled by a dental bridge or by an implant.
How to prevent cavities?
Fortunately, it is possible to prevent tooth decay with simple gestures and habits that you should apply rigorously on a daily basis, such as brushing your teeth at least twice a day and ideally after each meal, flossing to complement Brushing or maintaining a balanced diet, taking care of sweet foods. And do not forget your appointments at the dentist!
Demineralisation: Demineralization - occurs at a local change in pH below 4.5. However, short-term pH reduction is insufficient to cause significant changes in the mineral composition of the enamel, as after about 30 minutes the pH of the dental plaque is returned to its previous value.
Remineralisation: Research has established that the initial carious lesion limited enamel manifested morphologically as a minor change in the surface layer when expressed by changes in the underlying enamel. The clinical manifestation of these changes is a chalk-like spot with a smooth surface detectable by drying.
