Dental Cavities
Dental cavities (caries) are holes in the two outer
layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. The
enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer
just beneath enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue
called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside. Dental cavities are
common, affecting over 90% of the population. Small cavities may not cause pain,
and may be unnoticed by the patient. The larger cavities can collect food, and
the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins,
foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet-causing toothache.
Toothache from these larger cavities is the number one reason
for visits to dentists.
What are the causes of cavities?
Cavity-causing bacteria in the
mouth consume simple sugars, converting them into acid plaque. Acid plaque is different
from the periodontal plaque that causes "Gum Disease." The acid plaque
produced by these bacteria cause the hard inorganic layers of the enamel and
dentin to soften. The softened layers are then dissolved by saliva, leaving a
hole (cavity) in the tooth. Unless filled by a dentist, the cavity can continue
to erode and damage the inner pulp of the tooth. Damage to the pulp can lead to
pulp death, infection and tooth abscess. Therefore, pulp damage
will necessitate either tooth extraction or a root canal procedure
where the dying pulp is removed and replaced with an inert material.
The enamel on baby teeth are immature and porous. It
takes seven years for the porous, chalky enamel to be replaced by more mature,
dense, hard, shiny enamel. Therefore children are more prone to cavities than adults.
Cavity-causing bacteria are difficult to eradicate
because they are very similar to the other harmless bacteria that live in the
oral cavity. The many cavity-causing bacteria include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
bacteria reside in the pits and fissures of the chewing (occlusal)
surfaces of teeth. These bacteria can cause rampant tooth decay
in young children ages 3-12, causing cavities in both baby teeth
and the first permanent molars that erupt around age 6.
- Six species of streptococcus bacteria attack
the smooth surfaces on the sides of the teeth. These sides are usually
touching adjacent teeth, and cavities arising on these sides can be difficult
to detect visually. These cavities are best detected by the use of x-rays.
- Odontomyces viscoses
bacteria live on the back of the tongue and attack exposed cementum. Cementum
is the hard outer layer of the tooth root (the bottom two thirds of tooth that
is normally buried in dental bone). In older patients and in patients with gum
disease, the tooth
root and cementum become exposed and vulnerable to attack by these
bacteria.
How can cavities be prevented?
The number of cavities can be
reduced by proper nutrition, good oral hygiene, fewer snacks in between meals,
the use of oral or topical fluorides, and topical sealants.
- Nutritional counseling - consuming less simple sugar
(sucrose or table sugar) will reduce the number of acid-
producing
bacteria in the mouth. Adequate dietary calcium, phosphorous,
vitamins A, D, and C promote healthy and strong enamel formation.
- Home oral hygiene - brushing your teeth frequently
helps reduce acid plaque damage to enamel, while frequent flossing
removes the acid plaque from the smooth surfaces between teeth.
If one cannot brush and floss immediately after a meal, he/she
should try chewing self-cleaning foods at the end of the meal.
These include apples and celery that are crunchy and help sweep
away food debris and plaque. Chewing sugarless gum for a few
minutes at the end of a meal can also help.
- Eating fewer snacks in between meals - every
snack is followed by an "acid attack" on the teeth.
Therefore, snacking all day causes the teeth to be bathed in acid
continuously. Fewer snacks and eating desserts only with meals
help to reduce the number of "acid attacks" on teeth.
- Fluorides - oral fluorides (fluoride tablets
or fluoridated water) strengthen the developing enamel and dentin
layers of children's teeth before they erupt. Topical fluorides
fill in the pores of immature enamel or small early cavities and
reduce cavities in already erupted teeth. Topical fluorides are
usually painted on by the dentist, and later supplemented at home
with topical fluoride gels.
- Sealants - sealants are plastic coatings painted
on the pits and fissures of chewing surfaces of back teeth (molars
and bicuspids), and are highly effective in preventing cavities.
Sealants are recommended for all permanent molars in children.
They are also used to reduce cavities in baby teeth and in adult
teeth that are cavity prone. The procedure is simple and painless,
and no anesthesia is required.
- sodium fluoride dental-toothpaste - Consumer information about the medication SODIUM FLUORIDE 1.1% DENTAL - TOOTHPASTE (Prevident 5000 Booster), includes side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Read more about the prescription drug SODIUM FLUORIDE 1.1% DENTAL - TOOTHPASTE.
- Root Canal - Read about root canal complications, pain, costs and symptoms and signs that a root canal is needed. The dental procedure is a treatment used to save an infected tooth.
- Abscessed Tooth - Learn about abscessed tooth symptoms (nausea, jaw swelling, pain), treatment (antibiotics), prevention and how dentists diagnose infected teeth.
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