About Tooth Decay

In general it is claimed that although tooth decay has declined among young children as a group, it can still be a problem for individual children, and even teens and adults. A sticky film called dental plaque is the source of tooth decay. A sticky film of bacteria constantly forms on your teeth. Plaque is made up of a combination of bacteria, acid, food particles and saliva. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars or starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. When a person consumes food, especially drinks high in sugars or carbohydrates, dental plaque builds up on the teeth and gradually erodes their structure. Damage can occur in any part of the tooth that is exposed to plaque, from the crown at the top down to the softer body of the tooth (dentin) and the inner core of the pulp, which contains nerve fibers and blood vessels. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and after many such attacks, the enamel can break down and a cavity forms.

Tooth Decay Risks and Progression

Most cavities form over a period of months, or even years. Patients with tooth decay do not usually experience any symptoms initially. They are usually painless, but they can grow very large, and damage the much softer internal structures of the tooth such as the dentin and the pulp, which is found at the core. If they remain untreated, they can kill the nerve and blood vessels of the tooth, and ultimately the tooth itself. However, in the absence of regular dental visits a cavity remains undetected and begins to progress, it will often cause pain, particularly when eating sweet foods or when the tooth is exposed to hot or cold substances.

Tooth decay should be prevented. Infants or small children between 18 months and 3 years of age when put to bed with a bottle of milk, formula juice or other sugary drinks suffer a condition called baby bottle tooth decay. Tooth pain may be the first physical symptom of tooth decay. People who have Dry Mouth are more likely to get cavities. As the decay gets closer to the dental pulp the pain may be persistent and you may need to take painkillers, paracetamol or ibuprofen, to control the pain. It is essential to visit your dentist immediately or the tooth will die and you may develop a dental abscess. Dry mouth may be caused by illness, medications, radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Depending on its cause, Dry Mouth may be either temporary or permanent.

As layer upon layer of plaque accumulates, the substance hardens into tartar. This buildup of plaque and tartar irritates the gums and causes gingivitis and periodontitis. Treatment for tooth decay varies depending on the nature and extent of the damage a patient experiences. In most cases, a dentist treats cavities by using a dental drill to remove the decayed material before filling the remaining space with dental amalgam or composite resin. More significant damage may require an artificial crown or root canal.

Once the dentist drills to remove the decayed material, filling the hole with a suitable material of choice may be adopted. It includes dental amalgam (made from silver alloyed with copper or other materials), composite resin (made of a tooth-colored substance) or porcelain (also made of a tooth-colored substance). Gold inlay is sometimes used when greater strength is needed. In cases where the damage from a cavity is extensive, the dentist may have to cover the filling with an artificial dental crown. This helps minimize the risk of a weakened tooth from cracking. Depending upon the site gold crown, porcelain crown or porcelain fused to metal crowns could be used. These procedures may be performed using local anesthetic or nitrous oxide (laughing gas) provided by a mask placed over the patient’s mouth and nose. In some cases, a general anesthetic will be used so that the patient is not conscious during the procedure. Treatment is usually less extensive, less painful and less expensive when the cavity is detected early.

Experts also recommend a dental check up twice annually. In addition, recession of the gums often occurs during the aging process and leaves the roots of teeth vulnerable to decay. A soft tissue (cementum) covers tooth roots and is more susceptible to decay. However, many people neglect to visit the dentist due to lack of dental insurance, fear of dentists, or lack of accessibility, and end up having rampant caries. The majority of people over the age of 50 have this form of tooth-root decay. Much of this decay is found in the edges of fillings often placed during childhood that have weakened, fractured and leaked around the edges due to years of wear and tear. As bacteria seeps into these crevices, decay results. The tooth may repair itself naturally with the use of fluoride treatments provided in a dental office or at home.

Prevention of Tooth Decay
Fluoridation is one of the foremost that can also help prevent dental cavities or tooth decay. In the past several decades, the number of cavities has declined substantially as a result of fluoridation. Many cities add fluoride to their water system, and children in these communities have significantly fewer cavities than children in communities without fluoridation. Regular fluoride treatments at a dentist’s office can also help protect teeth, especially in children. Do not put your infant or small child to bed with a bottle of milk, formula, juice, or other product that contains sugar. Sugar and acids in these liquids can cause tooth decay.

As a first step, sealants can be applied to children when the first permanent molars come in between ages 5 and 7. The next step is followed when the second set of teeth comes in between ages 10 and 14. Dental sealants can be applied to a child’s molars and premolars once they fully erupt into the mouth. These sealants are a plastic, protective coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of back teeth. Sealants provide extra protection from cavity formation. In some cases, they can even arrest the formation of a cavity once it has begun. Some states provide dental sealant programs through schools for low income families. Although sealants are usually applied to children’s teeth, some adults may benefit from the procedure.

For certain people, a dentist might recommend a tooth sealant, especially for people whose mouths produce an excess of bacteria. The single most important method of preventing tooth decay is to reduce the amount of plaque and bacteria in the mouth. Regular tooth brushing at least twice daily and flossing at least once daily is essential in decay prevention. In addition, patients should have their teeth professionally cleaned in a dentist’s office at least twice a year. People with certain conditions (e.g., diabetes) may require more frequent teeth cleanings. A dentist can not only help you prevent tooth decay, but can also address other concerns, such as gum disease, abscessed teeth, and other conditions or diseases of the mouth.

Aesthetic or functional correction for dental cavities may be possible with porcelain dental veneers or porcelain or PFM dental crowns. The delayed treatment of tooth decay may end up a patient getting the tooth extracted and thereby ending up installing a dental bridge or a partial or a dental implant.