Dental decay is characterised by little holes in the permanently damaged hard surface of your teeth. Cavities, also called dental decay or tooth caries, result from several things, such as frequent eating, oral bacteria, inadequate tooth cleaning, and consuming sugary beverages.
Dental decary is quite common among children, teenagers, and older adults. Yet, cavities can affect everyone with teeth, including young children.
When you eat or drink anything that contains sugar, the enamel and dentine of your teeth become weakened by an acid attack, which is when dental decay occurs. The acid damages the tooth over time, creating a cavity (hole). Cavities can affect anyone and are quite common. Limited access to oral care has resulted in increased oral diseases among the South African population.
The signs and symptoms vary depending on the cavity’s location and size. Some people might not have any symptoms during cavity formation. Dental decay may cause the following symptoms:
Acids in plaque break down the enamel and dentine of teeth over time, causing dental decay. Teeth become damaged by decay, which may require fillings or even extraction of the affected tooth.
Cavities may occur due to various circumstances. Usually, the following processes take place:
These factors increase your risk of cavities:
Having twice-yearly dental exams is the best way to detect cavities early. The dentist might suggest a dental X-ray for further diagnosis. X-rays reveal cavities before the degradation is apparent.
The type of treatment depends on how bad tooth decay is. Treatments for cavities include the following:
Fillings: Your dentist will use a drill to remove the deteriorated material from your tooth cavity before filling it. Then, they will fill the hole with gold, composite resin, or silver amalgam.
Tooth extraction: Your dentist may recommend a tooth extraction if they find that a root canal is not possible in your case. You may need a dental implant if you get your tooth pulled out. Dental implants replace your extracted tooth and prevent your teeth from shifting.
Root canal: A root canal is an effective method to treat toothache caused by decaying roots. During a root canal procedure, the endodontist removes the pulp containing the pain-causing nerve endings.
Fluoride: Fluoride may be the best treatment option to repair tooth enamel in the early stages of dental decay. Known as remineralisation, the process involves dental office fluoride treatments and toothpaste/ mouthwash.
Maintaining good oral health and regular brushing and flossing your teeth can help eliminate plaque before it develop into a dental cavity. Proper oral care includes:
If dental decay is not treated, additional damage will be caused to the deep layers of your teeth. This can lead to severe mouth pain, infection and tooth loss. Proper dental care and regular dental visits are the best protection against cavities and dental decay.