Characteristics of dental caries
Dental caries or tooth decay is characterized by dental cavities or holes that, if not treated properly, they will cause the destruction of the teeth.
Symptoms of dental caries
No symptoms in many cases during the first stages of tooth decay. The main possible symptoms of tooth decay are: Pain in the teeth, holes in the teeth, blackening of tooth enamel, complete destruction of the tooth.
Causes of dental caries
Dental caries is produced by mouth bacteria that take profit of food in the mouth to develop. If not properly brushed and flossed, food debris remains in your teeth after eating. This combines with saliva, bacteria and acids to form a dental plaque that sticks to the teeth. If not removed, dental plaque hardens forming tartar. Tartar and plaque can irritate your gums that appear red and inflamed ( gingivitis) or can cause a purulent inflammation of your teeth bones and ligaments ( Pyorrhea)
Bacteria in this plaque or in the tartar transform carbohidrates and sugar into acids that attacks teeth enamel and erode it.
This is a superficial attack at the beginning affecting the surface of the teeth ( the enamel) but it can progress to the dentine ( the bulk of the teeth under the enamel). In time, this process can produce holes or cavities in the teeth that can cause tooth loss.
Dental caries can be favored by the following factors:
- Inadequate diet, with a poor vegetal food ingestion and too many animal foods.
- Abuse of sugary foods, especially between meals.
- Lack of oral hygiene
How to prevent tooth decay
The following advices could be very useful in order to prevent dental caries:
- Go to the dentist to remove your dental plaque regularly.
- Brush and floss your teeth properly. Do these actions gently with suitable toothbrush and dental thread.
- Use appropriate diet: do not abuse of sugars. Do not eat between meals.
- Go to the dentist in case of toothache.
Diagnosis and treatment of dental caries
Improper treatment of dental caries is the main reason among children and young people of tooth loss.
You have to visit your dentist who will be able to diagnose what are the real causes of your toothache and how to treat it properly .Treatment requires the removal of dental plaque and tar. It can also require other dental procedures to removed the decayed of weakened part of the affected tooth ( Fillings, crowns, root canals)
X rays could be necessary in order to obtain a proper diagnosis . Some patients may be required to attend surgery for tooth removal when necessary.
You should brush and floss your teeth thoroughly , and visit your dentist regularly if you want to avoid dental caries to come back again.
The natural treatment of dental caries involves using a series of natural remedies that can help to prevent it or reduce its symptoms.
 More information about dental caries natural treatment in the listing above
- Related subject: Tooth pain in children |
