Causes, Drugs, Symptoms, etc.
Definition
What is dental caries?
Dental caries is tooth decay characterized by the appearance of holes.
Caries should not be underestimated. If not corrected, the hole will enlarge and hit the inner layer of the tooth. Increasingly enlarged holes can cause tooth ache severe infection, and tooth loss (missing or falling off on its own).
How common is dental caries?
Dental caries is one of the most common types of tooth decay in the world. This caries can be experienced by anyone regardless of age and gender. However, this condition is more common in children and the elderly.
Dental caries can be treated by reducing the risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.
Signs & symptoms
What are the signs and symptoms of dental caries?
The characteristics and symptoms of dental caries are:
- Tooth ache
- Sensitive teeth
- Mild to sharp pain when eating sweet, hot, or cold foods
- Visible holes in the teeth
- Brown, black, or white stains on the surface of the teeth
- Pain when you bite into food.
There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.
When should I see a doctor?
In many cases, many people do not realize that their teeth have caries. As a result, the hole that was originally small gradually enlarges and causes various disorders of the teeth.
The small hole often causes no significant symptoms. However, it will be a different story when the hole has grown bigger. This can cause severe pain that may interfere with your daily activities.
Basically, go to the dentist right away if you experience a sharp toothache that doesn’t go away.
Cause
What causes dental caries?
The main cause of dental caries is plaque that builds up on the surface of the teeth. Plaque is formed from food debris, dirt, and bacteria in the mouth.
Not brushing your teeth and eating sweet foods can accelerate the growth of plaque. When you eat sweet foods, the bacteria in your mouth will produce acids. The acid in plaque erodes the minerals in the hard outer enamel of the teeth.
This process of enamel removal is known as enamel erosion. Over time this erosion process can cause small holes in the tooth enamel. Well, this hole is called caries.
Risk factors
What increases the risk of developing dental caries?
There are many factors that increase your risk of developing dental caries, namely:
Dirty mouth and teeth
Rarely brush your teeth and floss between your teeth (flossing) can make plaque build up on the surface of the teeth. If allowed to continue, the plaque that builds up can cause tooth decay and cavities.
Sweet food
Sweet foods can trigger cavities in teeth. Bacteria in the mouth are very fond of sugar. When you eat sweet foods, bacteria will eat away at the remaining sugar on your teeth. The more sugar the bacteria eat, the more acid it will produce.
Saliva mixed with acid is what can form dental plaque. If you don’t clean your teeth properly, plaque will erode tooth enamel, creating tiny holes in the surface of your teeth.
Sour foods
Often eating acidic foods can also trigger cavities. High acid exposure in the oral cavity can erode the tooth enamel. Tooth enamel that is constantly eroded can cause tooth sensitivity to cavities.
Gastric acid reflux
People who have a history of acid reflux disease, such as GERD or ulcers, are more likely to experience caries. Gastric acid that rises to the mouth can hit the teeth, and over time it can trigger tooth decay.
Little saliva
Saliva plays an important role in keeping your oral cavity moist. Besides, drool too helps clean food debris from the teeth and reduce bacteria in the mouth. If your saliva production is small, plaque will easily form and cause putrefaction.
Drugs & Medicines
The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.
How is dental caries diagnosed?
When you often complain of a toothache that doesn’t go away, see a dentist immediately. The dentist will check the condition of your teeth and mouth while asking about your dental medical history. The doctor may also ask about your habits in cleaning teeth.
A number of drugs have the potential to cause tooth decay. So, when checked, make sure you tell all the medicines that are being taken every day. Whether it’s drugs with or without a doctor’s prescription.
X-rays of the teeth and lab tests can be done by the doctor to confirm the diagnosis. X-rays can show cavities in the teeth, abnormal tooth structure, and bone loss that is not visible to the naked eye.
What are the treatments for dental caries?
Treatment for dental caries depends on the severity of the condition and in the particular situation. Here are some treatments that doctors often use to treat cavities.
Fluoride treatment
In the early stages, doctors will perform fluoride treatment. Fluoride is a mineral that helps protect and maintain the strength of tooth enamel. Usually fluoride is added a lot in mouthwash and toothpaste products.
Tooth filling
Tooth filling is often the first choice when the damage caused by tooth decay has started go through the enamel erosion stage. So that the hole does not deepen, the doctor will fill the cavity with a special material.
There are many choices of materials for filling cavities. However, dental fillings made from composite resin are more in demand than other types. Composite resin usually will hardened by shining. This type of patch is also called a laser patch or light patch.
Crown
Installation of crowns, aka denture crowns, can also be a solution to overcome cavities. The doctor will place a dental sheath over the damaged tooth. In this way, the crown of the denture will attach all the parts of the tooth that appear above the edge of the gum.
This artificial crown can also be used to correct, shape, size, and appearance of abnormal teeth.
Root canal
If the damage has reached the inside of the tooth (pulp), you may need root canal. Root canal or root canal treatment is usually done by doctors to repair teeth that are already infected or badly damaged.
The part of the pulp that is damaged will be removed and then patched with special cement. The doctor will also clean around the infected tissue so that it doesn’t get worse.
Tooth extraction
In very severe cases, the doctor can remove the problem tooth. The tooth extraction process does not take long.
Before it is removed, the doctor will first give an anesthetic to the affected gum area. That way you will not feel pain when the doctor pulls your tooth.
Home remedies
What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies for dental caries?
So that the holes in the teeth do not get bigger, here are some things you need to do.
- Brush your teeth at least 2 times a day in the morning after breakfast and at night before bed.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush with a brush head that is small or fits perfectly in the oral cavity.
- Use toothpaste that contains fluoride. Fluoride is a mineral that is useful for protecting and maintaining the strength of tooth enamel.
- Floss your teeth (floss) to clean between your teeth at least once a day after brushing your teeth.
- Also clean your tongue regularly to prevent plaque buildup on the surface of the tongue.
- Gargle with water or mouthwash after eating food and snacks.
- Drink lots of water to stimulate saliva production.
- Limit foods that are too sweet, salty, fatty, and contain lots of oil.
- Expand to eat vegetables and fruits.
- Diligently consult to dentist for teeth cleaning and examination.
If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.
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