Dental caries, commonly known as tooth decay, is one of the most prevalent oral health issues. Due to its widespread occurrence, treatment options have significantly improved over the years, with methods tailored to the depth of the carious process.
In today’s article, we’ll delve into this issue, exploring the prevention and treatment methods that we apply and recommend in our practice at Impression Dent.
What Are the Different Types of Caries?
Many of you have likely encountered this problem at least once in your life, but did you know that there are three stages of dental caries based on the depth of the lesion? Here’s what they are and how they differ:
Enamel Demineralization:
This stage is usually difficult to detect on your own. It is characterized by the appearance of a white chalky spot, which is typically noticed only during a dental examination. This stage marks the beginning of the breakdown of the enamel’s mineral content. Patients may not have any complaints or might experience only mild and short-lived discomfort from sweet or sticky foods. The good news is that the white spot is a reversible process. By using fluoride preventive measures and maintaining good oral hygiene, the tooth surface can be restored.Enamel Caries:
As the process progresses, the caries advances to the stage of a brown spot. This phase can also be asymptomatic. Typically, more observant patients visit the dental office after noticing slight aesthetic changes in their teeth or experiencing mild pain from sweet or cold foods.Dentin Caries:
Our teeth consist of an enamel layer beneath which lies the dentin. Dentin is the primary and most extensive layer of tooth structure, rich in nerves, and contributes to the tooth’s strength. Deep caries can affect the tooth pulp, known as pulpitis. If caries reaches the dentin and the soft, nerve-filled pulp, patients experience significant pain. In such cases, root canal treatment and even subsequent tooth devitalization may be necessary.
What Causes Caries?
The main factors influencing the development of dental caries are enamel structure, microorganisms, fermentable carbohydrates, frequent sugar intake, and reduced saliva production. Many of us overlook these important factors, but they are key to overall oral health.
Dental caries develops under a dense bacterial mass called dental plaque. One of the most common causes of caries is the formation of this plaque, which results from improper tooth cleaning. Other oral infections can also create conditions conducive to caries development.
Diet also plays a role. Excessive consumption of sugar, salt, acids, and processed foods increases the risk of caries. The frequency of sugar intake is a more significant risk factor than the amount of sugar consumed. Since bacteria feed on sugars and carbohydrates, they leave behind an acidic residue strong enough to erode the enamel and dentin of your teeth.
On Which Teeth Can Caries Form?
Caries can occur at any age, and no one is immune to it. Whether a tooth is primary or permanent, it can suffer serious damage.
Caries is caused by the destruction of the tooth’s hard tissues due to acids formed by the accumulation of bacterial plaque in the mouth.
One crucial point to keep in mind is that caries can develop on virtually any tooth—front teeth, wisdom teeth, canines, molars, etc. Common sites for carious tissue formation are the spaces between adjacent teeth, which are hard to reach and clean, making them prone to plaque and tartar buildup.
Depending on the severity, caries can be classified as superficial or deep.
How Is Caries Treated?
The treatment of this issue depends primarily on its progression, depth, degree of penetration into the tooth structure, and location. The process generally includes the following steps:
Diagnosis:
To understand and assess your oral health, locate the problem, and develop a treatment plan, we require X-rays and a diagnostic examination. This helps us determine whether the caries is superficial or deep and take measures to remove it, tailored to your specific condition.Removal of Damaged Tissues:
In carious processes, the affected tissues are damaged and must be removed. Using specialized tools and instruments, the damaged tissues are removed to prevent them from affecting the healthy tissues, which should be preserved in good condition. If the issue is more complex and the carious process is near the dentin or pulp, local anesthesia may be necessary to prevent pain during the cleaning process.Filling:
Once the damaged tissue is removed, the tooth is sealed with a filling to protect it from further adverse consequences. Modern dental medicine uses high-quality materials, such as photopolymers, which provide both functional and aesthetic results.
Afterward, it is essential for the patient to maintain good oral hygiene and regularly use mouthwash, floss, and a toothbrush to clean bacterial plaque. Ultimately, prevention remains the best way to avoid caries.
Don’t delay taking care of your smile—book an appointment for a check-up and consultation at Impression Dent by calling 0886 117 887 or using the contact form here.
