Tooth Decay
CONFIDENT SMILE THROUGH BETTER DENTISTRY
What is tooth decay?
Dental caries, commonly known as teeth decay or cavity is the breakdown of the hard tissues that covers our teeth called enamel. It is a result of bacterial action on the teeth that breaks down food and produce acid that damages our protective covering.
What are the reasons for tooth decay?
Cavity or decay is the permanent damage of the hard surface of our teeth that forms tiny holes on its surface. Most common causes of dental caries are improper oral hygiene that leads to plaque deposition, food lodgment and bacterial accumulation that produces acid that causes dissolution of enamel and subsequently tooth decay.
What are the treatment options available for decayed tooth?
Fluoridated toothpaste, proper brushing, rinsing the mouth, regular dental visits, application of fluoride and dental sealants prevents your teeth from caries before occurring. Once the cavity starts, restorative treatment with cements will be done. Sometimes the caries reaches the soft tissue within teeth that results in pain which will arise the need to do root canal treatment.
What are the preventive measures to prevent dental caries?
Good dental hygiene can help you preventing food accumulation and bacterial accumulation thus reducing the incidence of cavities. Fluoridated tooth paste and mouth rinse are the general at home measures to prevent caries occurrence. The proven and standard methods are fluoride application and sealants by dental professionals that along with at home measures provide long term protection.
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BASIC CHARGES
Basic consultation cost will start from Rs 500 and depends on complexity the charges will be extra and will recommended if required
FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
An untreated cavity can lead to an infection in the tooth called as tooth abscess. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the inside of the tooth (pulp). This requires more extensive treatment, or possibly removal of the tooth. Carbohydrates (sugars and starches) increase the risk of tooth decay.
Tooth decay can be stopped or reversed at this point. Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources. But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity.
When a tooth becomes infected, damaged or heavily decayed and cannot be restored, the best course of treatment is often a tooth extraction.
Although not an immediate consequence, dentists strongly advise that letting rotten teeth go unattended can lead to blood poisoning. This happens because the rot from the teeth keeps getting deposited into the mouth, and in most cases, it’s swallowed along with saliva.
Cavities can’t spread to other teeth, but they certainly have an impact on the rest of your mouth. First of all, the conditions that create a cavity on one tooth certainly can develop into cavities on your other teeth
Excessive tooth decay, tooth infection, periodontal and gum disease, trauma, impaction and crowding can all require a tooth extraction. Those who get braces may need one or two teeth removed to provide room for their other teeth as they shift into place.
Like most ailments, the longer you leave a cavity without treatment, the worse it’s going to get. In a span of 3-6 months cavities can reach the nerve of your tooth.
Fillings also called restorations, are the main treatment option when decay has progressed beyond the earliest stage. Fillings are made of various materials, such as tooth-colored composite resins, porcelain or dental amalgam that is a combination of several materials.
On an average, you can expect a filling to last for about 15 years before needing to be replaced, but the length of time can vary based on several factors, such as if you grind or clench your teeth.
Dental caries can be prevented only by maintaining good oral hygiene. Regular dental examination at least once in a year.