Tooth Decay

The technical term for tooth decay(cavities) is dental caries. Caries may be caused by a variety of reasons and is highly preventable, though it affects most people to some degree during their lifetime.

Types of cavities

• Coronal cavities is seen most often in both children and adults, occuring on the chewing surfaces or between the teeth.
• Root cavities usually occur as we grow older and our gums recede, leaving parts of the tooth root exposed. These exposed areas are more to decay.
• Recurrent decay is the term used for decay developing around existing fillings and crowns. These areas have a greater tendency to accumulate dental plaque and are harder to keep clean, which can eventually lead to tooth decay.

Adults are at greater risk for cavities if they suffer from dry mouth, a condition occuring due to a lack of saliva. Dry mouth may be caused by illness, as a side-effect of certain medications, radiation therapy and chemotherapy, Sjogren’s Syndrome etc.

If allowed to progress unchecked, the decay might affect the nerve of the tooth, leading to infection in the bone surrounding the tooth.Once infection develops, the tooth needs to be treated by a root canal or by extracting the tooth. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to treat cavities early on.

Causes of Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is influenced by our eating habits to a very great extent. What we eat and how often, oral hygiene practices, the presence of fluoride in our drinking water and genetics all play a role. Plaque formed by bacteria in the mouth interacts with the food deposits on your teeth to produce acids. These acids damage tooth enamel over time by dissolving, or demineralizing,the mineral content of teeth, causing tooth decay.

Preventing Tooth Decay

The best way to prevent caries is by brushing and flossing regularly. The early damage caused by bacterial plaque can be reversed by using fluoride. The most common source of fluoride is in the water we drink and is added to most community water supplies. If the water in your community is not fluoridated, ask your dentist if fluoride supplements are right for you. Also, use a fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash.

If you are at medium to high risk for cavities, your dentist may recommend special high concentration fluoride gels, mouth rinses, or dietary fluoride supplements. Your dentist may also place sealants - a thin coating that seals the grooves of the teeth against food and debris.

As mentioned earlier, people with a number of fillings have a higher chance of developing tooth decay.

The best way to prevent cavities is to follow three simple steps:

Cut down on sweets and between-meal snacks, especially sticky and sugary ones. When you do eat these foods, try to eat them with your meal instead of as a snack to minimize the number of times that your teeth are exposed to acid.

Brush after every meal and floss daily. Cavities most often begin in hard-to-clean areas between teeth and in the grooves of teeth.

See your dentist at least every six months for checkups and professional cleanings. If you get a painful toothache, if your teeth are very sensitive to hot or cold foods, or notice signs of decay like black or brown spots, make an appointment right away. The longer you wait to treat decayed teeth the more complex, expensive and lengthy the treatment will be. Left neglected, cavities may lead to infection and even loss of the the tooth itself.

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