WHAT IS TOOTH DECAY (CARIES)?
Tooth Decay describes the condition wherein the tooth, under a variety
of harsh conditions, breaks down leading to the formation of a cavity.
It starts with a hole/opening in the enamel. If this is not treated, it
progressively reaches the deeper sections of the tooth, where the pulp
and the nerves are causing the tooth to become sensitive to a variety of
stimuli, a variety of gum problems such as inflammation and swelling,
pain, and ultimately tooth loss.
IS IT VERY COMMON?
Tooth decay is a common dental ailment that may occur at any time or
age. However, since the onset of tooth decay is strongly related to the
unregulated consumption of sweet foods and beverages, it tends to affect
the young and adolescents more than any other age. One form is
diagnosed in nursing infants and is referred to as nursing caries.
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WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TOOTH DECAY?
- POOR ORAL HYGIENE: Irregular & improper brushing, not
flossing between teeth, not rinsing with water or mouthwash after meals
speed up the process of tooth decay.
- UNREGULATED DIET OF SWEET FOOD AND DRINKS: Periodic
snacking on aerated drinks, jam, marmalade, even potato chips can lead
to the formation of acidic by products which damage the surface of the
tooth enamel. This is the reason why most young children adolescents
suffer from tooth decay.
- BAD OR WORN OUT DENTAL FILLINGS: Tooth decay might develop again from exposed tooth surfaces.
WHAT CAN I DO IF I HAVE TOOTH DECAY?
If you have developed black or brown spots of decay on your teeth
either in the fissures or on the smooth surfaces and it is associated
with discomfort and / or sensitivity to hot and cold and / or frank
pain, it is likely that you have tooth decay. Your dentist will evaluate
you comprehensively and based on his clinical and radiographic findings
he will do one of the following:
- Make an opening in the crown and remove decay, shape the cavity and
fill it with a tooth coloured filling or an amalgam filling. This could
also be done under local anaesthesia.
- If the decay is very deep and the pulp (nerve, root canal) is
involved in the decay process he will, under local anaesthesia go deeper
into the pulp chamber, remove the pulp and the nerve, render it free of
infection, do a root filling and later put an amalgam or a tooth
coloured filling. Subsequently he will put a veneer or a crown on the
tooth as the case may be.
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| PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
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Certain preventive measures are known to reduce the risk of tooth decay. You must practice these good dental habits:
BRUSHING: Brush your teeth twice a day. Hold a soft brush at the
gum line at a 45° angle. Brush in a circular motion to massage the gums
and an up-down motion to dislodge plaque. Do this gently on the outer as
well as inner surfaces of teeth.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH: Dentists recommend using a
toothbrush.with soft bristles and a small head. Replace your toothbrush
every 3 months or as soon as it loses it's original shape. Once a brush
loses its shape, you require more pressure for the same cleaning action.
This extra pressure is damaging to gums as well as the protective
enamel layer.
FLOSS: Floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth. Take
about 18" of floss and wrap most of it around your middle finger and the
rest around the middle finger of the other hand, leaving a 2" length
between them. Using your thumb and forefinger, gently scrape the side of
each tooth away from the gum.
RINSE: Rinse your mouth with water thoroughly after each meal. Rinse for a minute everyday with mouthwash.
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Reducing the frequency of in take of sweets during the
day, decreases the number of 'acid attack' by the digestive breakdown
of these foods in the mouth. This prevents further damage to the tooth.
Expectant mothers must be particularly careful with their diet
and must make sure that it contains all the necessary nutrients and
vitamins since the foundation of a child's teething is laid early in the
second trimester [3 to 6 months].
A balanced diet that includes all food groups such as fresh fiuits,
vegetables, bread, cereals as well as other grain products, dairy
products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, poultry, fish provides the
essential nutrients required for dental growth.
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