One of the most common universal health problems are
cavities. A cavity is decay in the tooth that can develop
into a visible hole in the tooth.
When tooth decay first begins there may not be any obvious
symptoms. As the decay becomes more severe it may manifest
itself in the following symptoms. The most obvious sign of
a cavity is a visible hole in your tooth. Other common
symptoms include: tooth pain, pain when biting down and
sensitivity when eating or drinking hot or cold items. In
some cases, pus around the tooth can also be a symptom of
severe decay.
Cavities are caused by bacteria. Your mouth is a natural
reservoir of bacteria. When some of the bacteria interact
with foods that contains sugars and starches, the bacteria
may convert into acids. This acid and bacteria can form a
fuzzy like substance known as plaque which forms on the
teeth, particularly by the gum lines.
The acids in the plaque strike at the minerals in the
enamel, the tooth's hard outer surface. This can cause the
development of tiny holes in the enamel. Once the acid has
made its way through the enamel it reaches the next layer
of the tooth, called the dentin. Since the dentin is less
resistant to acid, tooth decay often speeds up at this
stage. As the tooth decay advances, it may move into the
pulp of the tooth, where the tooth's blood vessels and
nerves are located. This is what can cause the tooth pains
and sensitivities which are common symptoms of cavities.
Cavities most frequently occur in the back teeth, the
molars and premolars this is because these teeth have a lot
of grooves where food particles can get trapped in, as well
as the fact that the back teeth are harder to keep clean
than the front teeth.
There are many risk factors for developing cavities; some
of the most common include not brushing after eating and
drinking and eating food and drinks that contain
fermentable carbohydrates, such as milk, table sugar, soda,
breads, chips, cookies and even breathe mints.
There are also some risk factors which may appear less
obvious. Eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia,
for example, can also lead to tooth decay when stomach
acids from vomiting, enter the mouth. Acid from heartburn
and acid reflex disease can also cause stomach acids to
wash over mouth eventually these acids erode at the enamel
causing tooth decay.
Although cavities are very common, particularly among
children, this does not mean that they are not a serious
problem. In some cases, untreated tooth decay may lead to
serious infections that may in some extreme cases, may even
be life threatening.
There is a number of treatment options that your dentist
may chose, depending on the severity of the situation. In
the beginning of the development as a cavity, fluoride
treatment may be used to help the teeth repair themselves.
If the decay becomes more severe, your dentist may use
fillings and crowns to repair the damage. In cases where
the decay reaches the pulp of the tooth, a root canal may
be needed.
There are ways to prevent cavities. The most obvious is to
practice good and constant oral hygiene, such as brushing
after eating and drinking, rinsing your mouth and eating
food that are better for your teeth, such as cheese, fresh
fruits and vegetables and sugar free gum. Regular visits to
your dentists are vital in order to help clean the teeth
and detect early problems before they manifest into
something more serious.
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For more information, you may visit
http://www.chicago-dental.com .
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