DEFINITION
It is a destructive process
causing decalcification of the tooth enamel and leading to continued
destruction of enamel and dentin, and cavitation of the tooth.
Cavities and tooth decay are among the world's
most common health problems. They're especially common in children, teenagers
and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants.
If
cavities aren't treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your
teeth. They can lead to severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Regular
dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits go a long way toward
preventing cavities and tooth decay.
SYMPTOMS
The signs and symptoms of
cavities and tooth decay vary depending on their extent and location. When a
cavity is just beginning, you may not have any symptoms at all. But your
dentist may be able to see that decay is starting and recommend steps to keep
it from getting worse.
As the decay gets larger, it
may cause such signs and symptoms as:
- Toothache
- Tooth sensitivity
- Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking
something sweet, hot or cold
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth
- Pain when you bite down
- Pus around a tooth, especially when you press on
your gums
WHEN TO SEE A DENTIST
You may not be aware that a
cavity is forming, so visiting your dentist regularly is your best protection
against cavities and tooth decay. If you experience toothache or mouth pain —
common signs of cavities — see your dentist as soon as possible.
If a cavity is treated before
it starts causing pain, you probably won't need extensive treatment. That's why
it's important to have regular dental checkups and cleanings even when your
mouth feels fine. By the time you notice symptoms, the damage is getting worse.
CAUSES
Cavities are caused by tooth
decay — a process that occurs over time. It begins as the action of bacteria
damages the hard surface (enamel) of your teeth, a process that can occur
without any noticeable discomfort.
Decay can then progress to the
deeper layers of your teeth in the following steps:
Plaque forms. Your mouth, like many other parts of your body,
naturally contains many types of bacteria. Some of these bacteria thrive on
food and drinks that contain certain forms of sugar, also known as fermentable
carbohydrates. When these sugars aren't cleaned off your teeth, the bacteria
quickly begin feeding on them and producing acids. The bacteria, acids, food
particles and saliva then form into dental plaque — a
sticky film that coats your teeth. If you run your tongue along your teeth,
you may be able to feel this plaque forming several hours after you've brushed.
The plaque is slightly rough and is more noticeable on your back teeth,
especially close to your gums.
Plaque attacks. The acids in plaque remove minerals in your tooth's hard,
outer enamel. This erosion causes tiny openings or holes in the enamel —
the first stage of cavities. Once areas of enamel are worn away, the bacteria
and acid can reach the next layer of your teeth, called dentin. This layer is softer and less resistant
to acid than is enamel.
Destruction
continues. As tooth decay continues, the
bacteria and acid continue their march through your teeth, moving next to the inner tooth material (pulp) that contains nerves
and blood vessels. The pulp becomes swollen and irritated from the bacteria.
The bone supporting your tooth also may be affected. When decay advances to
this extent, you may have severe toothache,
sensitivity, pain when biting or other symptoms. Your body also may
respond to these bacterial invaders by sending white blood cells to fight the
infection. This may result in a tooth abscess.
RISK FACTORS
Cavities are one of our most common worldwide health
problems. Everyone who has teeth is at risk of getting them, but the following
factors can increase risk:
Tooth
location. Decay most frequently
occurs in your back teeth (molars and premolars). These teeth have lots of
grooves, pits and crannies that are great for grinding food — but they can also
collect food particles. As a result, they're harder to keep clean than your
smoother and more accessible front teeth. Between your hard-to-reach back
teeth, plaque can build and bacteria can thrive, producing the acid that
destroys tooth enamel.
Certain foods
and drinks. Some foods and drinks are more likely than others to
cause decay. Foods that cling to your teeth for a long time, such as milk, ice
cream, honey, table sugar, soda, raisins and other dried fruit, cake, cookies,
hard candy, breath mints, dry cereal and chips, are more likely to cause decay
than are foods that are easily washed away by saliva.
Frequent
snacking or sipping. When you steadily snack or sip sodas, you give mouth
bacteria more fuel to produce acids that attack your teeth and wear them down.
Bedtime
infant feeding. Parents and caregivers are encouraged not to give
babies bedtime bottles filled with milk, formula, juice or other
sugar-containing liquids. These beverages will remain on teeth for hours while
your baby sleeps, providing food for decay-causing bacteria. This damage is
often called baby bottle tooth decay. Letting a toddler who's transitioning
from a bottle wander around drinking from a "sippy" cup can cause
similar damage.
Inadequate
brushing. If you don't clean your teeth soon after eating and
drinking, plaque forms quickly and the first stages of decay can begin.
Not getting
enough fluoride. Fluoride is a
naturally occurring mineral that helps avoid cavities — and can even reverse
the earliest stages of tooth damage — by helping teeth repair themselves.
Because of its benefits for teeth, fluoride is now added to many public water
supplies. It's also a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouth rinses. If you
drink bottled or filtered water that doesn't contain fluoride, you may miss out
on its protective benefits. On the other hand, some bottled water may contain
added fluoride. If your drinking water and tooth care products also contain
fluoride, it's possible that babies and children could get too much.
Younger or older
age. In India, cavities
are the most common chronic disease among children and teenagers. Older adults
are also at higher risk as more of us keep our teeth as we age. Over time,
teeth can wear down and gums may recede, making teeth more vulnerable to root
decay. Tooth roots are naturally covered with a coating called cementum, but
cementum is quickly lost when the root surface is exposed. The underlying
dentin is softer than enamel and more susceptible to decay. Older adults also
may use more medications that can reduce saliva flow, increasing the risk of
tooth decay.
Dry mouth. Dry mouth is caused by a lack of saliva, which helps
prevent tooth decay by washing away food and plaque from your teeth. Substances
found in saliva also help counter the acid produced by decay-producing bacteria
and can even help repair early tooth decay.
Worn fillings
or dental devices. Over the years,
dental fillings can weaken, begin to break down or develop rough edges. These
developments can allow plaque to build up more easily and make it harder to
remove. Fillings and dental devices can also leak or stop fitting well,
allowing decay to begin underneath them.
Eating
disorders. Anorexia and bulimia can lead to significant tooth
erosion and cavities. Stomach acid from repeated purging (vomiting) washes over
the teeth and begins dissolving the enamel. In addition, people with eating
disorders may sip soda or other acidic drinks throughout the day, which also
helps create a continual acid bath over the teeth. Eating disorders can also
interfere with saliva production.
Heartburn.
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), acid reflux and heartburn can cause stomach acid to
flow into your mouth, wearing away the enamel of your teeth. If your dentist
notices enamel loss and doesn't think this loss is caused by grinding your
teeth, consult your physician to see if gastric reflux is the cause. Untreated
reflux can cause significant tooth damage that is costly to correct.
Certain
cancer treatments. Having radiation
to your head or neck can increase your risk of cavities by reducing saliva
production, which prevents cavity-producing bacteria from being washed away.
Certain chemotherapy drugs also tend to cause dry mouth.
COMPLICATIONS
Cavities and tooth decay are
so common that you may not take them seriously. And you may think that it
doesn't matter if children get cavities in their baby teeth. However, cavities
and tooth decay can have serious and lasting complications, even for children
who haven't yet gotten their permanent teeth.
Complications may include:
PAIN TOOTH LOSS
BROKEN TEETH
SERIOUS INFECTIONS
Also above mentioned things may lead to chewing
problems and ultimately degrading the general health of the person
In addition, when cavities
and decay become severe and very painful, they can interfere with daily living.
The pain may prevent you from going to school or work, for instance. If it's
too painful or difficult to chew or eat, you may lose weight or develop
nutrition problems. Cavities that affect your appearance or result in tooth
loss may affect your confidence and self-esteem. In rare cases, an abscess from
a cavity can cause serious or even life-threatening infections when not properly
treated.
Above all dental caries or
tooth decay is the disease of negligence regular checkups will help you
identify cavities and other dental conditions before they cause troubling
symptoms and lead to more-serious problems. The sooner you seek care, the
better your chances of reversing the earliest stages of tooth decay and
preventing its progression.
After reading this entire
section if you're experiencing pain or sensitivity in your teeth, make an
appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Regards
Dr P.B.Sood