Dental Cavities
Dental cavities or caries is one of the most
common of all disorders.
It
is an infection caused by a combination of
carbohydrate-containing foods and bacteria that
live in our mouths.
The bacteria are contained in a film called
"plaque". Plaque begins to accumulate on teeth
within 20 minutes after eating. If the plaque is
not removed thoroughly and routinely tooth decay
will occur.
Although there are many different types of
bacteria in our mouths, only a few are associated
with cavities
Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus casei and
acidophilus, and Actinomyces naeslundii are some
of them
When these bacteria find carbohydrates, they
consume them to produce acids. The acids
demineralize the hard part of the tooth (enamel
and dentin) and eventually reach the pulp chamber.
Cavities are most prominent on the back molars,
just above the gum line on all teeth, and at the
edges of fillings.
The common symptoms of caries are:
-
Increased sensation to cold and/or sweet foods
or beverages
-
Pain only when deeper layers are affected.
-
Weakening of the tooth
Treatment of a cavity generally consists of two
steps:
-
Removing the decayed portion of the tooth under
local anesthesia a high-speed dental drill is
used to remove the decay and prepare the tooth
for the filling.
-
Rebuilding the missing tooth structure with a
suitable filling material
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