WHAT ARE DENTAL CAVITIES?

It is estimated that more than one-third of the world’s population suffer from dental cavities. Dental cavities are prevalent and can affect the baby as well as adult teeth. So, what exactly are dental cavities? Well, dental cavities or dental caries, as known by dentists, is a microbiological disease of the tooth that creates a hole in the tooth.

To understand how dental cavities happen, let’s take a brief look at the anatomy of our teeth. Each of the teeth has three layers, namely, enamel, dentine and dental pulp. Enamel is the outermost, most mineralized and protective layer of our tooth. Enamel also does a beautiful job of resisting dental decay to a certain level after enamel comes the dentine, which little less mineralized and less resistant to dental decay. Than enamel. The dentine is in direct contact with the dental pulp. Now, the dental pulp is the heart of the tooth and is responsible for keeping the tooth alive. The dental pulp consists of various nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues.

Dental decay begins from the outermost layer of the tooth surface, the enamel. In the beginning, dental cavities generally cause no pain or discomfort. This makes it easier for us to ignore dental cavities. You may be living with dental cavities for years before it shows any noticeable symptoms, like pain. This is why it is imperative to schedule regular dental visits. Dental cavities are notorious for progressing silently. Scheduling regular dental visits will allow you to get it diagnosed early and seek appropriate treatment before it advances to its severe forms.

If our dentist diagnoses you with a dental cavity during a regular oral health check-up, it can come as a surprise. However, the good news is that dental cavities can be easily treated, and the progression is often excellent if diagnosed and treated early.

WHAT CAUSES DENTAL CAVITIES?

Our mouth is home to many different kinds of bacterial species. While most of these are harmless commensals of the mouth, some can be disease-causing. Our mouth remains healthy when there is a proper balance between good and bad bacterial. However, sometimes this balance can shift, which leads to the overgrowth of bad bacteria. These bacteria are further responsible for various oral diseases.

These disease-causing bad bacteria reside in dental plaque, a sticky, whitish-yellow film that adheres to the tooth surface. It is important to note that plaque formation is a natural phenomenon and takes place every day. We brush and floss to ensure the proper removal of this plaque and food debris. However, in cases of poor oral hygiene and faulty brushing, the plaque continues to increase. This means that the bacteria also keep growing in number. Combine this with a diet rich in sugars, and you have a perfect environment for the bacteria to grow and cause all sorts of damage.

Dental cavity-causing bacteria utilize sugars from the food we eat as an energy source and release noxious byproducts that are acidic. These byproducts are responsible for dental diseases like dental cavities and gum diseases. Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli happens to be the two most common bacteria that cause dental cavities.

The acid from the bacterial byproducts starts attacking the enamel and leads to its demineralization. With time, the enamel starts to wears off and thins out, exposing the second layer of the tooth, the dentine. Dentine, as mentioned earlier, is less resistant to dental cavities than enamel. Moreover, dentine also has tubules that give bacteria a place to hide. The bacterial acid will now destroy the dentine and will march forward to reach the dental pulp. Dental cavities at this point can cause sensitivity to cold, hot, sweet and sour foods and beverages.

RISK FACTORS FOR DENTAL CAVITIES

Do you have teeth? If the answer is yes, then you can suffer from dental cavities at least once in your lifetime. However, it is seen that certain risk factors make a person more prone to dental cavities. Many long term studies have been carried out to find out these risk factors. Some of the most common risk factors for dental cavities are mentioned below.

  • You have a poor oral hygiene.
  • Irregular brushing habits and even using an old frayed toothbrush will not clean the teeth adequately. This will lead to plaque accumulation which will further give rise to dental cavities.
  • You don’t floss. Flossing every day will ensure that any food debris and plaque accumulated between the teeth gets removed. It is essential to get rid of plaque from all the surfaces of your teeth. Many people don’t floss, and this puts them at a much higher risk of suffering from dental decay.
  • The back teeth, namely, molars and premolars, are more susceptible to dental cavities. Back teeth have pits and fissures, which creates a nice little hiding spot for the disease-causing bacteria. Molars are often the first teeth to get affected by dental cavities.
  • Moreover, it is easy to miss the back teeth areas during regular cleaning, as they can be a little challenging to keep clean.
  • A diet that is rich in sticky, sugary foods and beverages like candies, cakes, cookies, chocolates, dried fruits, colas, etc., will put you at a greater risk for dental cavities. Sugars are harmful not just for your health but even to your teeth.
  • It is also found that infants who are fed sugary milk, juice or formula just before bedtime have a higher risk of suffering from dental decay.
  • Fluoride deficiency weakens your tooth structure and makes it more susceptible to dental cavities.
  • Dry mouth, medically termed as xerostomia, is also a known risk factor for dental cavities. Saliva performs various functions, aids in chewing, has many protective enzymes, and washes away food debris, keeping your mouth clean. Lack of an adequate amount of saliva is a risk factor for dental cavities. Cancer treatments and many systemic infections are known to cause dry mouth.
  • Some medical conditions like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder) and eating disorders like bulimia make the stomach acid reach the mouth. This stomach acid attacks the teeth enamel and causes it to thin out. The wearing off of enamel makes the teeth more prone to decay.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DENTAL CAVITIES?

Symptoms of dental cavities will depend on the extent of the dental cavity. Dental cavities usually do not show any symptoms in the beginning and therefore are easily missed by people. Keep an eye for the following symptoms as these may suggest you have a dental cavity-

  • Whitish, chalky patch of the teeth surface.
  • Dental cavities can cause sensitivity to cold, hot, sour and sweet foods and liquids. If you experience intense pain while sipping on a hot cup of tea or eating ice cream, it may be because of a dental cavity.
  • Toothache is one of the most common and often the primary reason one visits a dental clinic. Toothache due to dental decay can be continuous or intermittent and dull aching or throbbing.
  • Tooth pain increases when you sleep.
  • You experience pain and discomfort in biting down or chewing on something.
  • You spot holes or cavities in your tooth.
  • There is brownish or blackish discolouration of the affected teeth.
  • Swelling and pus discharge can also happen from the gums around the infected tooth if the decay has progressed.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an emergency dental appointment with us today.

CAN I PREVENT DENTAL CAVITIES?

The short answer – Yes! Although everyone with teeth is susceptible to caries, following these simple tips will make sure your teeth remain shining and white.

  • The most said and the least done for prevention of dental cavity is maintaining good oral hygiene.
  • Acquire good quality, soft-bristled nylon toothbrushes and a fluoridated toothpaste. Take a pea-sized amount of toothpaste on your brush and clean your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once before bed. Pay special attention to your back teeth and make sure you cover all the teeth surfaces adequately.
  • Change your toothbrush every three months or earlier if the bristles become frayed.
  • Start using floss every day.
  • Rinse your mouth after you have had a meal to get rid of any accumulated food debris.
  • Add a fluoridated mouthwash to your daily oral hygiene regime.
  • Make sure you visit our dentist regularly, at least once every six months, for a complete oral health check-up and treatment. Do not miss your dental appointments. This will ensure you stay ahead of any dental disease.
  • Consider dental sealants as they seal the deep fissures and pits on your back teeth. This makes sure that the bacteria don’t grow and makes it easier to keep these areas clean.
  • Consume fluoridated water.
  • Say no to frequent consumption of sugary beverages, sodas, and candies. These sugary treats wreak havoc on your teeth’ enamel and give energy source to the disease-causing bacteria.
  • Have a healthy and balanced diet. Consume adequate amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits.
  • If you feed your child before putting them to bed, make sure you gently clean their mouth and wipe their gums with wet cotton or cloth.

HOW DO DENTISTS TREAT DENTAL CAVITIES?

During your first appointment at the dental office, our dentist will perform a complete oral examination. They will check each tooth and will ask you for your medical history. If they spot any dental cavity or see signs of dental decay, they will also take some x-rays. Dental x-rays are done to determine the extent of dental caries. After this, our dentist will explain to you the appropriate plan of action to treat your dental cavities. Dental cavities can be treated with various dental procedures, and it depends on the severity of dental decay.

FLUORIDE APPLICATION

Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that strengthens our teeth and also makes them resistant to dental decay. Initial patches of dental decay, which appears as a whitish, chalky patch, can be reversed with the help of professional fluoride treatments. Our dentist may also prescribe you with fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouthwash to help the cavity heal.

DENTAL FILLINGS

If the dental decay is more significant and has already led to the formation of a cavity, you will need a dental filling. Dental fillings are generally completed in a single appointment.

The procedure for dental filling starts with the removal of decayed tooth parts. Our dentist will take the help of a dental drill and remove all the decayed tooth portions. Once the infected part is removed, the tooth is dried and prepared to receive a filling.

At an earlier time, dentists would use silver amalgam for dental fillings. However, it has several disadvantages because of which its use is now either limited to completely avoided. Moreover, it also appears unaesthetic and would discourage people from getting the treatment they need.

Owing to this, dental composite resins were introduced. Presently, our office also utilizes dental composite resins to fill the dental cavity. Composite resins are tooth coloured and also come in various tooth-colour shades. Our dentist will choose a shade that matches your natural teeth shade for optimum aesthetics. Composite resins are also much more durable and last a long time with proper care.

INDIRECT PULP CAPPING

Our dentist will suggest you go for indirect pulp capping in cases where the dental cavity is near the pulp but has not invaded yet. A thin layer of calcium hydroxide is applied, which provides a barrier and seals the defect. The remaining cavity is restored with the help of dental cement or composite resins.

DIRECT PULP CAPPING

Direct pulp capping is carried out for deep dental cavities and where there is a pinpoint exposure of pulp. In this procedure, a layer of calcium hydroxide is applied directly to the exposed pulp.

ROOT CANAL TREATMENT

Root canal treatment is done in cases where the dental pulp is infected, and the infection has reached the root. It is also done in cases of dental abscess.

Root canal treatment is carried out under local anaesthesia, which means you will feel no pain, and your treatment will be comfortable. Once anaesthesia is achieved, the decayed portion from the top of the tooth is removed with the help of a dental drill. Next, the root of the tooth is opened. Specialized root canal instruments are used to remove the infected pulp and drain out the pus. After this, the tooth’s roots are cleaned and dried. The empty root canal is filled with root canal filling material like gutta-percha, and the canal is sealed. Later on, the top portion is restored with the help of dental cement or composite resins. The tooth which has undergone a root canal treatment will often receive a dental crown.

DENTAL CROWNS

Dental crowns commonly referred to as tooth caps, are used to restore a tooth’s shape, size, strength and function. Dental crowns are frequently recommended in cases of extensive dental decay and become vital after a root canal treatment. Dental crowns are custom made for every patient and can be made from metal, porcelain, or metal fused to porcelain, depending on individual needs and wants.

EXTRACTION

Tooth removal or extraction is done in cases where the tooth can no longer be saved. The extraction socket is allowed to heal, and the missing tooth can be later replaced with the help of an implant or a dental bridge.

COMPLICATIONS  OF UNTREATED DENTAL CAVITIES

  • Once a tooth gets affected by dental cavities, its structural integrity and strength are compromised. This undermines the tooth and makes it susceptive to fracture and breakage even under normal forces/
  • Untreated dental cavities will keep destroying greater amounts of tooth structure, which will eventually lead to tooth loss.
  • Teeth loss due to dental cavities or even gum diseases disturbs the oral harmony. The remaining teeth will shift to close the space left behind.
  • The presence of dental cavities will lessen your ability to chew, affecting nutrition.
  • Dental cavities can also affect speech.
  • The infection can progress to involve the roots of the teeth and may even lead to a dental abscess.
  • Dental cavities can lead to swelling as the infection progresses to involve the nearby soft tissues. At times, the swelling continues to enlarge, and, at one point, it can grow enough to press against the windpipe, leading to difficulty in breathing. This is a life-threatening medical condition and has to be treated immediately.
  • The bacteria responsible for dental cavities sometimes can find a way to exit the tooth and enter the bloodstream. From here, the bacteria travel and infect internal organs, causing sepsis. Sepsis is a fatal medical emergency and needs immediate treatment.

All these complications can be easily avoided if you seek proper treatment for dental cavities. So, if you think you may have a dental cavity, it’s time to schedule an appointment with our excellent dentist. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our emergency dental services, please call us, and our team of exceptional dental professionals will be there to assist you.

DISCLAIMER: The advice offered is intended to be informational only and generic in nature. It is in no way offering a definitive diagnosis or specific treatment recommendations for your particular situation. Any advice offered is no substitute for proper evaluation and care by a qualified dentist.