You have a lick of your favorite ice cream and you suddenly feel a sharp ache in one of your teeth. Not a week later, your tooth is pounding and you are unable to chew. At this point in time, you surely have created your suspicions about a possible dental cavity.
If you find the former sentences accurate, do be informed that you are not alone in this. Tooth decay is undoubtedly amongst, if not the most, usual dental issues our CDC general dentists see at our practice. As a matter of fact, surveys from the Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research across the globe have come to an agreement that more than 92% of adults, aged from 20 to 64 years old, have had cavities in their permanent teeth.
The general rule in the medical field is that prevention is better than cure, simply because it is quite more useful to meet a problem in time, rather than seeking a remedy after the damage is done. However, the good news is, tooth decay is preventable, and when caught early, it is also easy to treat. Our team at City Dental Clinic will be covering in this blog everything you ought to know about tooth decay, starting with the causes of it and ending with the treatment options.
Following the definition set by the American Dental Association, tooth decay “is the destruction of your tooth enamel, the hard, outer layer of your teeth.” Now you are probably wondering if tooth decay and cavities are the same thing. The answer is no. You should know though that cavities come as a result of tooth decay. Tooth decay is commonly known as dental caries, and it is a bacterial disease process that ruins a tooth. With tooth decay progressing, a hole can form in the enamel. Namely, a cavity.
What is the process of tooth decay? It all begins with plaque- a very sticky bacterial film that continuously forms on the teeth while the bacteria in the mouth mix up with food particles, acids, and saliva. Then, the plaque bacteria feed on sugar and starches coming from the things you consume, and once they do, they release acids that assault the enamel.
These newly released acids leach minerals from the tooth enamel, a process known as demineralization. Next, the minerals in the saliva, together with fluoride, aid in depositing minerals back into the enamel, a process known as remineralization. When demineralization wins the fight against remineralization, tooth decay happens. With time, cavities can develop. Seeing as plaque is really sticky, if not brushed and flossed away immediately, it will keep acids, in contrast, in contact with the enamel, speeding up the process of tooth decay.
Albeit, ultimately, the main causes of tooth decay are plaque accumulation and acid attacks, there are a bunch of other things that can magnify the risk of cavities, such as:
The key factor to abstaining from cavities is controlling plaque. Whenever plaque is not routinely removed through brushing and flossing, it sticks to the teeth and the acids spoil the enamel. With time, plaque hardens into tartar or even calculus. Tartar cannot be removed utilizing regular brushing and flossing. As it advances gradually on the teeth and surrounding the gumline, it remains there, releasing acids up until a professional dental cleaning.
Be it as a result of gum disease, irritation from tartar and plaque, or brushing too hard, gum recession is very usual, especially with age. As the gums recede, cavity-causing bacteria touch base with the exposed root surfaces of the teeth, conceivably causing root decay.
In instances of dental restorations such as a bridge, dental crown, or a filling being loose, damaged, or not fitting properly, plaque bacteria have the chance to hide in between the cracks and gaps. With acid building up, it results in tooth decay.
It is common knowledge that sugary and starchy foods and beverages feed the bacteria in the mouth, inducing acid release. On the other hand, acidic food and beverages can be an additional contribution to cavities by speeding up the erosion of the enamel.
A number of medications and health conditions cause dry mouth. Meaning, you are unable to produce enough saliva to wash out plaque and food particles and help in remineralizing the tooth enamel. If not pointed out, dry mouth can essentially augment your risk of cavities.
The regularity of your meal consumption is nearly as critical as the type of things you consume when talking about the causes of tooth decay. It takes your saliva up to 30 minutes after consuming any kind of food or drinks to neutralize the plaque acids and the pH in the mouth to go back to its norms. Each time you have a bite of food or a sip of drink (besides plain water), it restarts the clock and intervenes with the remineralization system, giving demineralization the upper hand. In the long run, this will lead to tooth decay and cavities.
The symptoms and signs of cavities are different, all dependent on their magnitude and position. When a cavity is going underway, you might not have any recessive symptoms. While the decay expands, it may lead to signs and symptoms such as:
Anyone with teeth is at risk of getting cavities, but the below aspects are the ones that most affect and increase the risk:
Decay is more common in the back teeth, meaning molars and premolars. That is because these types of teeth are the ones that have a lot of pits and crannies, grooves, and a high number of roots that can collect food remains. Consequently, they are much harder to keep free of bacteria when compared to smoother or easy-to-reach front teeth.
Foods clinging to the teeth for a long amount of time including dry cereal, chips, cookies, cake, dried fruit, soda, hard candy, and mints, are more liable to be the reason behind decay rather than foods that can easily get rid of by saliva.
You are giving mouth bacteria extra energy to generate acids that attack the teeth and wear them down, whenever you consistently consume sugary food or drinks. Likewise, sipping any type of acidic drink or soda during the day can aid in creating a continuous acid bath over the teeth.
It should be known that whenever infants are given bedtime bottles full of formula, juice, milk, or any other sugar-containing liquid, these beverages will stay within the teeth throughout sleep, feeding decay-causing bacteria. Namely, baby bottle tooth decay. Another instance is when toddlers wander around taking sips from glasses or cups filled with such drinks.
If the teeth aren’t cleaned following any consumption such as drinking or eating, plaque will start forming instantly and the very early phases of decay go underway.
Needless to say, fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that assists in preventing cavities from occurring and oftentimes it can even reverse the first stages of tooth damage. Due to the advantages that come with it, fluoride is a key supplement in many public water supplies. Furthermore, you might have heard of it being a main component in toothpaste and mouth rinses. Bottled water, however, does not incorporate fluoride.
Cavities are more of a usual condition in very young children and teenagers. That does not mean, however, that older adults aren’t at risk. As a matter of fact, they are at a higher risk. With time, gums may start receding and teeth may start wearing down, making teeth defenseless against root decay. Another affecting element that not many know about is that older adults sometimes use medications that indirectly reduce saliva flow, increasing the chance of tooth decay.
Coming is a result of a lack of saliva, which is the main component in preventing tooth decay by washing away plaque and food particles from the teeth. Saliva also contains substances that help counter the acid generated by bacteria. Several medications, certain medical conditions, numerous chemotherapy drugs, or even radiation to your head and neck, can intensify the risk of cavities by slowing down saliva production.
Throughout the years, a dental filling can become much weaker, starting to develop rough edges or even break down. This gives plaque the chance to build up more easily and it makes it stronger, meaning it is harder to be removed. On the other hand, dental devices can start becoming loose or tight, losing their fitting and permitting decay to start underneath them.
Known in the medical field as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn can be the reason for stomach acids flowing into the mouth (reflux), resulting in wear down of the enamel of the teeth and substantial tooth damage. This creates tooth decay as it exposes more of the dentin to assault by bacteria. Your dentist’s recommendation might be to consult with your dentist to check whether gastric reflux is the reason to enamel loss.
Both anorexia and bulimia can result in tooth erosion and cavities. Stomach acids that come from continuous throwing up (purging) wash over the teeth and start to dissolve the enamel. They can also interfere with the saliva production.
Proper oral and dental hygiene can assist in avoiding cavities and tooth decay. The following are some main tips to keep in mind when trying to prevent cavities. Inquire with your dentist to figure out which tips are the right solution for you.
Your teeth should be brushed at least twice a day (once in the morning after your first meal and once before bed). The ideal situation would be brushing after every meal, with the use of fluoride-containing toothpaste. For cleaning between your teeth, using an interdental cleaner for flossing helps immensely.
For early spotting or preventing the issues all together, you should get professional teeth cleanings and regular oral exams. Your dental hygienist will recommend a schedule that best fits your interests.
A sealant (sealing material) is a shielding plastic coating that is applied to the chewing surface of back teeth. The whole purpose of it is to seal off crannied grooves that lean toward collecting food, shielding tooth enamel from plaque and acid. Sealants are recommendable for all school-age children. The main advantage is that they might last for years prior to needing replacement. But, they should be checked regularly.
As previously mentioned, numerous public water supplies have added fluoride, which can help in minimizing tooth decay. Meaning, if you drink bottled water only, that does not contain any fluoride, you will be missing out on fluoride benefits.
Eating or drinking any other beverage other than water, helps the mouth bacteria create acids that destroy the enamel. Meaning, if you are snacking or drinking a lot throughout the day, your teeth are under continuous attack.
In the event that your dental practitioner feels that you are at a high risk of developing cavities, he/she may advise on using a mouth rinse with fluoride.
It is not a secret that some foods and beverages are simply better than others. Foods that get in the grooves and pits of your teeth for a long time should be avoided, or at least, teeth must be brushed soon after consuming them. Yet, it should also be known that foods like vegetables, or fresh fruits, increase the saliva flow, and others such as tea, sugar-free gum, and unsweetened coffee help wash away any food particles.
The saying “the sooner, the better” is valid when it comes to treatment for tooth decay, too. The sooner you seek treatment, the better and easier and much less expensive, the treatment will be. An untreated cavity will continue to expand and weaken the tooth. Consequently, the tooth is at a high risk of fracturing or breaking. Moreover, the treatment of a large cavity will necessitate the removal of more tooth structure, or, oftentimes, an extraction.
Severe and untreated cavities can also be the reason for an infection coming up. Whenever a tooth is infected, a pocket of pus created, called an abscess, can evolve leading to fever, facial swelling, and severe pain. The infection is thought of as a dental emergency, seeing as it can disperse to other regions of the body.
Reversibility of tooth decay is only possible in the early stages. Yet, once the tooth decay starts creating a cavity, the damage is everlasting and will necessitate repair. For the reversal of tooth decay, fluoride or another treatment might be used to remineralize the tooth. The replacement of the lost minerals will reinforce the weakened enamel and stop a cavity from forming.
It is worth noting that tooth decay does not generally have symptoms or indications when in a stage where it is still reversible. The first signs of an issue can only be caught during routine dental exams and cleaning performed by the dentist. This emphasizes the weight of having an exam and cleaning every six months or every time your dentist advises.
Tooth decay can be detected generally by:
The dental practitioner will additionally be able to inform you about the type of cavity you have out of three: smooth surface, pit, diffuser, or root.
The treatment option put into action varies depending on the severity of the tooth decay. Some of the most commonly used cavity treatments include:
If there isn’t enough natural structure left on the tooth to support a filling, a dental crown will be needed. Once the decay removal is over, digital impressions are taken, and the tooth is shaped by the dentist so that a cap, or a dental crown, can fit over it. A temporary crown will be placed and your information will then be sent to a specialized dental laboratory. The laboratory can either be part of the dental office or a whole structure on its own. The technician will next build an A1-grade quality porcelain crown that closely copies the look of a real tooth down to the way it reflects light.
When coming in for a filling, the CDC dentist will eliminate any decay and cleanse and condition the impacted region. Next, he/she will fill in the vacancy left behind with a composite filling material that color matches your smile. Going further, the filling will be cured with a blue light, it will be shaped and polished in a way that is ultimately undetectable. The filling does not serve as a restore for the appearance of your tooth, but it additionally prevents bacteria from piling up in the vacancy, providing some shield against future decay.
You will be notified that your permanent restoration is ready and set an appointment to come back to the office. During the appointment, the dentist will remove your temporary crown and have you try the permanent crown. At the moment they are content with the fit and look, they will secure it in place. On a final note, there will be minor alterations to your bite and the crown will be given a final polish for a natural appearance.
In the event that you have root decay or an infection in the pulp, a root canal will serve as a means to diminish the pain and might even help save your tooth. Throughout a root canal, the dentist will gently remove the tooth’s pulp (the part of the tooth that contains the nerve endings) and clean and disinfect the inner side of the tooth. The area will then be filled and sealed. Considering a root canal can make your tooth feel more fragile and easily breakable, a dental crown is used as an alternative to protecting the tooth and restoring its function, appearance, and strength.
In dire situations, such as when a tooth is gravely decayed or/and infected and cannot be saved, an extraction might be required. At City Dental Clinic, we provide a wide range of tooth replacement solutions, comprising dental implants and dental bridges. We will assist you in deciding on the best way to replace your tooth following the extraction to guard your oral health.
If you are suffering from tooth pain or have visible signs of tooth decay, make sure to schedule an appointment with a CDC dentist, today. Our skilled dentists will get to the heart of the issue and provide you with a treatment, customized to your needs and wants to bring back that healthy smile.
