Cavities and Tooth Decay

According to A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia tooth decay is the second most common ailment after common cold. While cavities are common in children they can affect adults too. Cavities are caused by bacterial acid. Microorganisms living inside our mouth thrive on starch and sugar. They consume the carbohydrates present in foods like candies, sodas, cakes and bread, converting them into acid. Bacteria along with food debris and bacterial acid in our mouth mix up to make dental plaque. The acidic properties of plaque can cause decaying as tooth enamel and dentin begins to dissolve over time. This process is only intensified with poor dental hygiene and delayed treatments. Symptoms Tooth decay may not be visible immediately. A dentist however can probe the surface of the enamel to discover softening during checkup, “The problem with decaying is that symptoms only begin to surface at a later stage. You may experience tooth ache and heightened sensitivity while small pits may become visible to the eye,” explains a Dentist in Diamond Bar CA. However, regular check-ups can help you identify the problem at an earlier stage. Cavities not yet visible to the eye can be located from dental x-rays. Early treatment is less painful and can help protect the enamel, preserving the tooth. Treatments Treatments for cavities depend on the extent of damage caused. If identified earlier, the infected portion can be drilled out and filled with porcelain, composite resin or gold or silver alloy. While porcelain and resin give a more natural appearance, silver amalgam or gold are considered to be more durable. “Solid materials are more suited to back teeth fillings as they help provide a strong bite while most clients would want porcelain for front teeth,” explains the Diamond Bar Dentist. Fillings can be put in through a direct and indirect method. The direct restoration requires the softened substance filled into the prepared tooth, building upwards before it hardens. However, direct restoration may not be suitable for larger fillings as it may cause damage to the teeth during solidification. In such instances indirect restoration is the preferred choice. This technique requires the dentist to take an impression of the prepared tooth and fabricate a filling outside. The filling is then placed inside the tooth and bonded using dental cement. Crowns, bridges and veneers are common examples of indirect restoration. In cases where the decaying has damaged the nerve and blood vessels, a root canal surgery can offer some relief. The dead tissues along with the decayed portion of the tooth are removed surgically and the roots are sealed by a permanent filling. The tooth itself is reconstructed using dental filling and crown or cap may be placed on top of it. “Dental procedures for tooth decay can be really painful. Which is why I always advise patients to come in for regular checkups and practice good dental hygiene,” shares the Dentist in Diamond Bar CA.