Cavities and Tooth Decay: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

 Cavities

Cavities and Tooth Decay: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay, also known as dental caries or cavities, is the erosion of the outer layer of the tooth (enamel) due to the accumulation of plaque containing bacteria that convert food remnants into harmful acids, leading to the formation of cavities or hole in tooth.

Untreated decay can progress beyond the enamel, reaching the dentin and pulp of the tooth, causing severe pain. Infection spread may lead to the formation of an abscess at the tooth's root, potentially resulting in tooth loss.

Tooth decay is a common complaint affecting all age groups, including young children from the onset of tooth eruption.

Teeth are composed of three layers:

1. Enamel: the hard outer layer that protects the visible part of the tooth, while the roots are covered by a layer called cementum.
2. Dentin: the second layer of the tooth after the enamel, characterized by its porous nature that transmits sensations of heat and cold to the nerves.
3. Pulp: the center of the tooth, consisting of connective tissue containing nerves and blood vessels that nourish the tooth.

Types of Tooth Decay

Types of tooth decay include the following:

• Pit and fissure caries: this type is the most common and occurs in the grooves on the biting surfaces of the back teeth, where food particles and plaque easily accumulate.
• Root caries: affecting the roots of the teeth, this type is more common in older adults, as receding gums expose the roots to bacterial accumulation and food remnants.
• Smooth surface caries: this type is less common and develops slowly, affecting the smooth surfaces of the teeth facing the cheeks.

What causes a tooth cavity?

cavities usually occurs due to the excessive consumption of sugary foods and drinks, as well as neglecting oral hygiene. This leads to the accumulation of food residues mixed with millions of bacteria, forming a soft and transparent layer that adheres to the teeth, known as plaque. These bacteria thrive on the sugars present in the food residues, producing acids that dissolve the minerals in the tooth enamel, weakening it and eventually causing decay.

Tooth cavities can occur in infants and young children due to improper habits, such as giving a child a bottle of milk or juice during sleep. It often begins with decay in the front teeth and then progresses to the molars. Additionally, gum recession and root exposure as one ages can lead to seniors developing root decay, where the roots are covered by cementum, a thin layer easily eroded by bacteria and acids, making them susceptible to decay.

What are the risk factors for tooth decay?

Factors that may make a person more susceptible to tooth decay include:

- Neglecting to brush the teeth, leading to plaque buildup.

- Dry mouth, where saliva plays a role in neutralizing the acids produced by bacteria and replenishing lost enamel minerals. Therefore, in the case of dry mouth, acid concentration increases, leading to enamel erosion.

- Weak enamel due to genetic factors or diseases.

- Health issues, such as eating disorders or gastroesophageal reflux.

Cavities Symptoms

The signs of tooth decay vary depending on the stage of decay and its depth in the tooth. The stages of tooth decay begin with minor enamel erosion, appearing as white spots on the teeth, often near the gum line, with no accompanying symptoms at this stage.

As decay progresses, the color of the spots turns brown or black, and as the decay worsens, tooth erosion increases, cavities form, and bad breath may accompany tooth decay at this stage. Other symptoms of tooth decay may include the following:

- Tooth sensitivity, characterized by sharp pain in the teeth when consuming hot or cold foods or drinks.

- Persistent toothache, experiencing difficulty in biting and chewing certain foods.

- Swelling and redness of the gums around the decayed tooth.

- Frequent food impaction in the teeth.

It is worth noting that severe tooth decay can lead to the formation of an abscess in the tooth, accompanied by severe pain, facial swelling, and possibly a fever.

How is Tooth Decay Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of tooth decay relies on a comprehensive oral and dental examination, evaluating signs such as white and brown spots on the teeth, and inquiring about any accompanying symptoms. The dentist may also recommend dental x-rays to detect decay in less visible areas of the teeth.

Tips for Managing Tooth Decay

To prevent the worsening of tooth decay, it is advisable to seek treatment as soon as possible. In the meantime, the following are recommended:

- Regular brushing of the teeth.

- Limiting the consumption of sugary foods and drinks.

- Chewing sugar-free gum to increase saliva in the mouth, which helps alleviate pain and prevent the worsening of tooth decay.

How to prevent cavities

Adhering to the following guidelines contributes to the prevention of tooth decay:

• Brushing the teeth with fluoride toothpaste, making sure not to rinse the mouth with water after brushing the teeth with toothpaste and only spitting out the excess to keep a layer of toothpaste on the teeth for longer protection.
• Brush the teeth at least twice a day, and using dental floss to ensure the removal of food particles stuck between the teeth.
• Limiting the consumption of sweets and sugary drinks, and it is preferable to consume them with meals rather than as snacks.
• Increasing water intake instead of juices.
• Not giving infants milk or juices in feeding bottles during sleep.
• Wiping the teeth of young children who cannot brush their teeth with a wet cloth.
• Following a healthy diet rich in fiber, calcium, and vitamin D.
• Chewing sugar-free gum after meals to increase saliva, given its role in protecting against tooth decay.
• Abstaining from smoking.
• Applying a sealant by the dentist on the surface of healthy molars in children, which is a protective layer that prevents decay.
• Ensuring regular visits to the dentist for dental examinations and plaque and tartar removal.

Complications of Tooth Decay

Neglecting tooth cavities can lead to the spread of infection through the tooth root, resulting in the formation of an abscess.

Complications of cavities include the following:

- Persistent toothache.

- Difficulty chewing.

- Tooth damage or fractures.

- Tooth loss.

- Movement of adjacent teeth due to the empty space left after tooth loss.

- Abscess around the tooth root, which may manifest as gum swelling and redness, jaw and facial swelling, accompanied by severe pain that may radiate to the ear and neck.

- Infection due to the spread of the abscess to the blood, a life-threatening condition.

Complications of tooth decay in children include the following:

- Speech impediments.

- Malnutrition.

- Jaw growth deformities.

cavity treatment

The method of treating tooth decay varies based on its stage. Early-stage tooth decay can be reversed, while advanced cases require therapeutic procedures to eliminate the decay.

Early Treatment of Tooth Decay

Simple treatment of  before the formation of cavities involves the application of a high-concentration fluoride substance by the dentist. In this case, the fluoride works to replenish lost minerals in the enamel and prevent the progression of the condition.

Although it is not possible to treat tooth cavities at home, adhering to brushing with fluoride toothpaste and reducing sugar intake may contribute to preventing the progression of decay and the formation of cavities or hole in tooth.

Advanced Dental Caries Treatment

Treatment for advanced dental caries may include the following approaches:

• Dental Fillings: This treatment involves the removal of the decayed parts of the tooth using a drill, followed by filling the cavity with a filling made of various materials, such as composite resin or amalgam (silver filling).
• Dental Crowns (Caps): Severe cases of dental caries may require the installation of a protective cover or crown after the decay is removed and necessary filling is done to preserve the tooth.
• Root Canal Treatment (Nerve Filling): Root canal treatment is performed to address severe forms of dental caries when the decay reaches the tooth pulp, aiming to preserve the tooth, its function, and prevent its loss. This involves the removal of nerves and blood vessels from the tooth pulp, followed by filling the cavity and placing a crown on the tooth.
• Tooth Extraction: In cases of extensive damage, the tooth may need to be extracted to prevent serious complications.

Over-the-counter pain relievers may help alleviate teeth pain and reduce inflammation until proper treatment is administered.

Alternative Medicine Treatment

Tea:

Tea, especially green tea leaves, contains a significant amount of fluoride, which helps prevent cavities. It also contains compounds that collectively work to prevent tooth decay. Tea is brewed with a small amount of licorice root.

Wild Bergamot:

It contains a substantial amount of thymol, an effective antiseptic found in the well-known mouthwash Listerine, as well as geranial.

Peanuts:

Peanuts help maintain dental health and resist caries.

Licorice:

Licorice contains indole, an effective anti-caries compound, as well as glycyrrhizin, a non-sugar sweetener that helps maintain dental health.

Stevia:

It is used to sweeten beverages instead of sugar, and it is a delicious non-sugar sweetener; thus, it helps to protect the teeth from the harmful effects of sugar.

Black Seed:

The black seed is burned, then kneaded in olive oil and placed on the decayed teeth daily for a duration of fifteen minutes for a week.

Some Herbal Recipes:

1- Teeth Whitening

Vegetable charcoal and salt in equal amounts are mixed in honey and used to massage the teeth in the morning.

Sea fennel (marine algae) is taken with salt in equal amounts and rubbed on the teeth with toothpaste.

2- Teeth Whitening

Wheat flour is mixed with minced garlic clove and applied to the jaw from the outside near the painful area (nerve effect).

Mouthwash with a decoction of cinnamon. Chew on cloves (fresh or dried flowers).

3- Teeth Strengthening

Take equal amounts of turmeric, country rose, and myrrh, grind them all, mix them in concentrated vinegar, and massage the gums around the loose teeth.

Take a garlic clove, mince it with a small spoon of cloves, half a spoon of camphor, and cardamom, grind them all, and use as a compress on the loose teeth.

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