Dental Caries - Cavities

Dental caries is one of the most well known dental diseases, which damages the teeth structure. Dental caries is also known as tooth cavities and tooth decay. If the dental caries is untreated, it may cause tooth pain, tooth decay, and tooth loss. When you eat, pieces of food remain between your teeth, and around your gums. These pieces of food mix with your saliva and bacteria forming plaque, which is a sticky substance attaching to your teeth. The dental caries is caused by the acids produced by bacteria digesting sugars part of the food in the plaque. The acids produced by the bacteria dissolve the enamel of the teeth causing tooth decay.

Dental caries is usually discovered during regular dental checkups. In the early stage of caries there might not be any pain, but the tooth surface is usually softened. The damaged part of the tooth cannot be regenerated. The caries is treated by removing the damaged part of the tooth, by drilling and then filling the hole with restorative materials like gold, dental amalgam or composite resin. If caries is treated in its early stages, there will be less pain and the treatment won’t be expensive usually.

As with most dental problems, caries can be avoided by maintaining good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing your teeth regularly.

Disclaimer:

The information provided in this article does not constitute medical advice and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. If you have a health problem you should consult a licensed physician.

Teeth Diseases > Dental Caries - Cavities