dental caries definition 

Contents

 1 tooth decay

 2 stages of tooth decay

 3 symptoms of tooth decay

 4 risk factors for tooth decay

 5 Diagnosis of dental caries

 6 treatment of tooth decay

 7 Preventing tooth decay

 8 complications of tooth decay

 tooth decay

 Tooth decay or cavities is defined as the permanent damage that affects the hard enamel layer that covers the teeth, as a result of the influence of several factors; Including the acids produced by bacteria in the dental plaque known as plaque formed on the teeth, and other factors that play a significant role in the incidence of tooth decay:

 Frequently eating snacks, drinking a lot of sugary drinks, or not brushing the teeth well, and caries is one of the health problems that may affect individuals of different ages, and despite the fact that tooth decay is one of the most common problems among children, it affects adolescents and adults. Also.

 According to the World Health Organization (WHO) published in 2020, there are approximately 2.3 million people in the world who suffer from the problem of permanent tooth decay and more than 530 million children suffer from caries of primary teeth.

 Tooth decay stages

 Before explaining the stages of dental caries, it is worth clarifying the parts of the tooth in order to facilitate understanding the mechanism of the development of caries. In fact, the tooth consists of several parts; It is the hardest outer part known as enamel, followed by dentin, which represents a hard tissue containing microscopic tubes, and then the pulp, which represents the living and softer inner structure in the age, in addition to The tooth also consists of cementum, which is a group of connective tissues that connect the roots of the teeth to the gums and jaw bones.

 In fact, dental caries develops by going through several stages, which can be explained as follows: Formation of dental plaque: Dental plaque is formed as a result of eating a lot of certain types of foods; Specifically, starches and sugars, in addition to not being careful to clean the teeth in a way that ensures the removal of the remnants of these materials from the teeth, as bacteria feed on these residues, which leads to the formation of dental plaque in the form of a sticky layer that covers the teeth, and it becomes more solid over time so that it is difficult to remove.

Attacking dental plaque:

 At this stage, the acids in the dental plaque begin to attack the enamel layer and remove minerals from it, causing damage to it and making holes in it. With the dental nerve, as has been shown, which leads to tooth sensitivity, and it is noted that the dentin layer is considered more thin and less resistant to acids compared to the enamel layer.

 Destruction continues to occur:

 Bacteria and acids continue to destroy the tooth, up to the inner pulp layer, which is the layer that contains nerves and blood vessels. ; Rather, it may go beyond that to affect the area outside the tooth root and may even reach the bone.

 Symptoms of tooth decay

Symptoms and signs that may appear on a person with tooth decay are as follows:

 Having bad breath.

 suffering from toothache; But it is worth noting that in some cases tooth decay does not cause pain, but it may be a cause of acute and intermittent pain in other cases, and this pain may also appear in the form of persistent aches, impeding sleep.

 Feeling of an unpleasant taste in the mouth.

 The appearance of spots on the teeth that may be brown, gray, or black. tooth sensitivity; Where the person with dental caries feels pain or discomfort when something comes into contact with the tooth, especially when consuming cold, hot, or sugary foods or drinks. Risk factors for dental caries The risk of tooth decay increases in the presence of certain factors, which can be summarized as follows:

eating an unhealthy diet,

 This is represented by eating large amounts of sugars, processed foods, or soft drinks, as bacteria in the mouth consume these sugars and turn them into acids that begin to dissolve tooth enamel. Failure to maintain oral hygiene, as this leads to the accumulation of harmful bacteria that form plaque, which may cause damage to the mouth and cause infection in it, and this may result in tooth loss.

 Dry mouth as a result of a lack of saliva production, which sometimes occurs as a result of taking certain types of medications, exposure to radiation in the neck or head area, or as a result of some health problems, or undergoing chemotherapy, as saliva plays an important role in getting rid of food residues and preventing the formation of Dental plaque. Having certain disorders and diseases; such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa; People with these health problems may suffer from frequent vomiting that damages the enamel layer as a result of vomit that comes out through the mouth, affecting the teeth, and health disorders and problems that increase the risk of tooth decay:

Gastroesophageal reflux or heartburn, such cases may cause acid to reflux into the mouth in a way that damages the enamel layer and teeth in general. And

presence of dental fillings; The weakness of these fillings and the breaking of their edges over time increases the chance of the formation of dental plaque that is difficult to remove.

 Use of dental appliances, as the chance of tooth decay increases under these appliances if they do not fit the teeth completely.

 tooth location; Molars and molars are more susceptible to decay because they contain many fissures and roots, which stimulates the accumulation of food particles inside them and makes them more susceptible to decay.

 Not obtaining an adequate amount of fluoride, which is included in the composition of drinking water, mouthwash, and toothpaste, due to the importance of this mineral in preventing the occurrence of caries, and it is even possible that fluoride works to reverse the process of tooth damage in the initial stages of decay and restore the condition of the tooth. and thus reduce the development of caries.

 Age; The risk of tooth damage and gum recession increases with age, as age is accompanied by gum recession and gum recession, in addition to suffering from gum disease; This contributes to making the roots of the teeth covered with a tissue more thin than the enamel tissue more susceptible to the occurrence of decay, and it should be noted that the dental fillings become more weak with age, as their edges are damaged, which helps to accumulate bacteria in the small cavities, and acid builds up. On the other hand, tooth decay is common among children and young adults.

 Dental caries diagnosis

 Tooth decay can be detected during a periodic dental examination, as the doctor uses a special tool to examine the teeth; It may be inferred from the surface of soft teeth that there is caries, and in this context it is indicated that tooth decay may not be visible at the beginning of its development, and invisible caries can be detected through X-ray imaging, and other signs of tooth decay are the appearance of clear holes or holes in the teeth In the advanced stages, a person may suffer from toothache; Especially after consuming sugary, hot or cold foods or drinks.

 Treatment of dental caries Depending on the severity of the case, a decision can be made about choosing the appropriate treatment for the patient. Among the options available for treating tooth decay, the following can be mentioned:

 Fluoride therapy:

 Fluoride is used to treat tooth decay in the early stages. Fluoride can prevent the development of caries, and restore the enamel layer.

Pain control:

 As we mentioned earlier, tooth decay may lead to a feeling of pain and discomfort, and to relieve the pain temporarily while waiting for the scheduled appointment with the dentist, several methods can be followed, including the following:

Use over-the-counter pain relievers.

 Maintaining oral and dental hygiene, by cleaning the teeth with a brush and making sure to clean all parts of the mouth. Avoid eating very cold or very hot foods or drinks.

Tooth fillings

 Where the doctor removes cavities using a special tool, after which the teeth are filled with a certain material that may be gold, silver, porcelain, or optical fillings, all of which are safe materials for use in this case, and amalgam fillings can be used that They contain mercury, and despite some people's concerns about its effect on health, the Food and Drug Administration, the American Dental Association, and other public health agencies have stated that amalgam fillings are safe when used as a dental filling.

Dental crown placement

 This procedure is the removal of caries from the tooth, followed by the placement of a specially designed cap as a replacement for the natural tooth crown. This method is used in severe cases of tooth decay, in which a small part of the tooth remains.

 Root canal formation:

This method consists in removing the nerve tissue, blood vessel tissue, and caries from the tooth, in addition to applying appropriate medications if necessary. Especially in cases of detection of infection, after which the doctor fills the tooth with an appropriate filling, and it is possible to put an appropriate crown on it, and in fact, the root canal method is used to protect the tooth after the death of the nerve as a result of decay.

 Prevention of tooth decay

There are many different methods that are recommended to be followed to prevent tooth decay, and among these methods, the following can be mentioned:

 Be sure to clean the areas between the teeth well, whether using medical floss, or other special medical tools, as the presence of food residues between the teeth can stimulate the development of tooth decay.

 Make sure to visit the dentist for advice on the mechanism of cleaning the teeth correctly using the brush and floss, and it is advised to visit the dentist regularly with the aim of cleaning teeth and undergoing periodic examinations, and consulting him about the importance of using fluoride supplements that help strengthen teeth.

 Using antimicrobial mouthwashes, whether after brushing the teeth or after eating, can help prevent the development of cavities, but it is worth consulting a doctor about the possibility of using mouthwash and the number of times allowed.

 Sealant status; This method is used to protect the back teeth from decay, and is represented by supporting the surfaces of these teeth with a protective layer that plays a role in reducing the impact of bacteria and the formation of dental plaque.

 Taking care to eat healthy food to ensure that the body gets all the nutrients that play an important role in maintaining dental health, with the need to limit the consumption of foods and drinks that contain sugar, in order to prevent the formation of dental plaque on the teeth.

 Make sure to clean your teeth at least twice a day using a toothbrush and paste that contains fluoride, and make sure to clean all sides of the teeth well, as this helps to get rid of the layer of plaque that may accumulate on the teeth.

 Chewing certain types of sugar-free gum, as this may help prevent tooth decay, due to its role in increasing the flow of saliva in the mouth.

 Tooth decay complications

 The presence of bacteria within the plaque layer is not limited to harming the teeth only, but may go beyond that to cause damage to the gums surrounding the teeth and the bones of the teeth as well. The most prominent complications that may result from dental caries can be stated as follows:

 Painful tooth and gum abscesses, and this develops in severe cases.

Tooth fractures and falling out.

periodontal disease; Including gingivitis or periodontitis.

Impact on the development of children, since decay may prevent the ability to eat in some cases.