dental venue - Dental Tooth Decay

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Decay

Incidence of Decay. A large proportion of the population suffers from tooth decay and periodontal disease. Although the prevalence of tooth decay among school-aged children has declined in recent years, the most recent national survey indicates that the average schoolchild has at least one cavity in their permanent teeth by age 9, three cavities by age 12, and eight cavities by age 17.

Approximately 25 % have five or more decayed, missing, or filled teeth. The average adult has between 10 and 17 decayed, missing, or filled permanent teeth. Approximately 50% of all adults have gingivitis and 80% have experienced some degree of periodontitis (inflammation of the gums leading to destruction of tooth-supporting bone). 95% of elderly persons have periodontitis, with more than one third experiencing moderate to severe periodontal disease. About 22% of adults over age 45, and over 50% of adults over age 65 are edentulous (without any teeth!). On average, dental conditions account for around 150 million hours of missed work and 50 million hours of missed school days.

Dental and periodontal diseases are more common in persons whose personal behaviors (e.g., alcohol abuse, tobacco use, poor diet), medications, or coexisting medical conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus, xerostomia, HIV, Sjögren syndrome) increase the risk of oral pathology.

Almost 20% of all preschool children have tooth decay; by 3rd grade, 50% have tooth decay; by the age of 17, 86% have tooth decay

The Decay Process

While you go through your day, a thin film forms on the surfaces of your mouth called plaque. If plaque is not removed through regular brushing and flossing, the bacteria living within it will produce acids which will create cavities and cause decay. Plaque is a clear bacteria laden film, which develops on teeth. Bacteria use the starches and sugars in plaque to produce acid; it is this acid that de-mineralizes our teeth and results in decay. As this process is going on, our saliva (which naturally contains calcium and phosphate ions) remineralizes damage teeth. When demineralization occurs at a rate faster than our saliva can repair it, a cavity develops. If the decay goes unchecked, bacteria will migrate through the tooth and infect the pulp. When the decay reaches the pulp, your body launches an immune response to fight the infection; blood vessels in the tooth enlarge, pressing against the tooth's nerves and causing the tooth to ache. If the infection is left to proceed, the tooth will eventually die. Though the pain will stop, the body is still fighting the infection and an abscess usually forms around the infected tooth's root. This infected area will begin to ache constantly, especially upon chewing. Eventually, the bone surrounding the root tip will erode. If enough pressure accumulates in the abscess, a tiny canal, or fistula, will develop; it will relieve the pressure by connecting the abscess to the outside world (appearing either in your mouth as a small swelling or as a boil on your face).

Prevention

There are several things that you can do to help prevent tooth decay.

The most important of which is to watch your diet. What you eat plays a large role in the health of your mouth. Since sugars are directly related to the breakdown process of decay, eliminating them from your diet will have an immediate impact on acid-producing bacteria. Certain foods will also help keep the mouth in a healthy state. Foods such as whole grains, fresh fruits, and vegetables will go a long way in keeping your mouth healthy.

The mechanical break-up and removal of plaque on a daily basis is required to prevent tooth decay and gum diseases. The chemicals in toothpaste and mouthrinses aid in preventing decay but are not a substitute for regular brushing and flossing.

Sugar + Bacteria (in plaque) --> Acid

Acid + Health Tooth --> Decay

Home fluoride rinses also aid in the remineralization process.

Sealants are an excellent means of preventing future decay. They protect the biting surfaces of your back teeth by filling in the normal crevices where bacteria and plaque accumulate. They require no drilling and are tooth-colored.

Of course, you should make routine visits to your dentist to detect early decay.

Diagnosing Decay

The two main ways your dentist diagnoses cavities are through the use of x-rays and an instrument called a dental explorer. Your dentist will thoroughly check every surface of your teeth with the dental explorer for areas of decay; the instrument will catch or stick in spots created by cavities. X-rays are used to find cavities between the teeth where the explorer can't reach. Cavities show up as small dark spots on x-rays.

Clinical Signs of Cavity Formation

The first sign of incipient decay may be a white spot, which in time may turn brown. Incipent decay may be treated with low concentrations of fluoride. This is often sufficient to reverse the process and arrest further development.

Once the cavity progresses beyond its incipient phase, restoration is required.

Related Articles

Anatomical Background
Baby Bottle Decay
Causative Factors of Decay
H ome care
Health risks of decay

Note: It is important to note that before beginning any course of treatment you should see your dentist. Please note that without the benefit of a full dental examination, including a review of medical history, dental x-rays, and diagnostic aids, no attempt can be made to provide specific diagnosis or recommended courses of treatment. However, we will be happy to update our site to include topics you feel deserve mention. contact us