People of all age groups face the problem of cavity development on teeth. This is one of the common dental problems experienced by most people in the world. It becomes important to do the necessary treatment of the cavities at the earliest, else it decays the whole tooth and in some cases it affects the roots. It will be interesting to look into more detail regarding the different aspects related to the cavities like its causes, treatment, and prevention.
What is cavity?
Cavities are the holes formed in the teeth when the tooth enamel in the mouth gets eroded due to acid. Cavities are very hard to detect at an early stage without dental check-up. However, if it is not treated then the cavity increases and causes more pain. You can avoid the cavity development on teeth by following good oral hygiene.
What are the causes of cavities?
Teeth are covered by the enamel layer that is formed majorly from calcium and minerals. It helps the teeth from cavities and other unwanted bacteria. The food you eat contains some amount of bacteria which starts eroding the enamel layer when not treated properly. The bacteria level is more when the amount of sweet eaten is larger. The acid produced by these bacteria is mainly responsible for the eroding of the enamel layer and causing teeth cavities. The major causes of cavities are mainly due to the bacteria build-up on the teeth, it is important to clean the mouth properly. It will remove all the unwanted bacteria from the teeth.
Signs of cavity on teeth:
Stains on the teeth
Bad breath
Bleeding gums or other gum disease problem
Teeth sensitivity after eating or drinking hot, cold, or sweet items.
What are the possible treatments for the cavity?
Getting the proper treatment for the cavity at the early stage is very important to ensure that there is no further damage to the teeth. There are different methods of treatment for the cavity on the teeth.
Some of the options of treatment for the cavity on the teeth include:
1. Dental fillings
When the hole is formed in the tooth due to the cavity in it, the dentist will drill down and remove the decayed material from it. The space is then filled with materials like composite resin, silver amalgam, gold, or other suitable dental material.
2. Fluoride treatment
Fluoride treatment is possible only when the cavity development on the teeth is detected at the early stage. Through this treatment the tooth enamel is protected with the process of remineralisation. Here, the dental expert will guide you properly for the care to take for strengthening the tooth enamel.
3. Root canal treatment
In root canal treatment, the dentist does the treatment through the root of the tooth. In this treatment, the infected pulp is removed, cleaned and then filled with proper dental material. Root canal is helpful in removing all the cavities from the teeth and helps to save the tooth from removal which is most infected. Root canal treatment is usually followed by the crown to protect the tooth.
4. Extraction of the tooth
The tooth extraction is one of the last options for getting rid of cavities. This is usually done when there is more cavity on teeth and it is not possible to get rid of the cavity through any treatment. After the extraction of the tooth, you can go either with the option of dental implant or Dental Bridge. The options are chosen as per the guidance of the dentist and your choice.
What are the measures of prevention for cavities?
Although there are some treatment options available for the cavity, it is always better to take the necessary prevention. It can help to avoid the complex treatment processes and cost for the treatment.
Here are some of the measures for prevention of cavity:
Reducing eating and drinking of sugar and starchy items.
A proper mouthwash to ensure that no food particles remain on the teeth and bacteria is removed.
Avoiding the habits of smoking and tobacco products.
Brushing the teeth twice a day with the proper technique.
Using a proper brush that can assist in cleaning the maximum possible region of the teeth.
Doing flossing activity at least once a day to remove the food particles and plaque layer from the gap between the teeth.
Using fluoridated toothpaste can assist in protecting the enamel layer and removing maximum unwanted bacteria from the mouth.
Doing dental check-ups after a period of six months to know the condition of oral health.
Cavity development on the teeth is common, you only need to follow proper oral hygiene habits to keep it away. Take early steps for treating the cavity on teeth to get good oral health.
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