Dental caries (commonly known as tooth decay)

The development of dental caries is a gradual process. When the teeth are eroded by acid, a shallow cavity forms, and at this time, the patient has no feeling of pain. If dental caries continues to develop, the dental tissue is further damaged, and the cavity will become larger and deeper. At this time, the patient will feel sore when stimulated by hot, cold, sweet and sour. If dental caries is not treated in time, and bacteria infect the dental nerve, it will become pulpitis and even cause periapical inflammation and facial swelling.

The cause and clinical manifestations of dental caries

Dental caries (commonly known as tooth worm or tooth decay) is a common and frequently occurring disease in the oral cavity and is caused by multiple factors. In the process of the formation of dental caries, there must be cariogenic microorganisms, namely Streptococcus mutans. These cariogenic microorganisms present in dental plaque can ferment sugary foods and produce acid. The long-term action of acid on teeth can dissolve (demineralize) the hard tissues of teeth, resulting in changes in color, shape and texture to form dental caries. Dental caries is prone to occur in the pits and fissures on the occlusal surface of teeth, adjacent surfaces and teeth with poor enamel development. Deep dental caries reaches the deep layer of dentin and is close to the pulp cavity. Patients feel obvious pain when stimulated by hot, cold, sweet and sour. If not treated in time, it will cause pulpitis or periapical disease, and can also cause alveolar abscess. Pulpitis can cause intense and spontaneous pain. Alveolar abscess can cause facial swelling. The earliest manifestation of dental caries is only a change in color, with dark brown patches appearing on the tooth surface. Later, the hard tissue of the teeth gradually becomes soft and defects form cavities. There are no symptoms in the early stage. With the development of caries, teeth will gradually feel pain when encountering hot and cold and spontaneous pain. Bacteria and toxins in the cavity may also cause heart disease, nephritis, arthritis, etc. Dental caries eventually leads to tooth loss and makes people prematurely aged.

Tooth repair

If there is a cavity in the tooth, it must be filled immediately, because for a small cavity, the doctor can complete the filling (tooth filling) of the cavity at one time, and the affected tooth can be retained for a long time and has the same chewing function as a normal tooth. If the teeth are not treated in time, and bacteria invade the dental pulp, it will cause pulpitis and even periapical inflammation. The condition is serious and the treatment is complex. Because the patient does not care about dental health and loses the best treatment opportunity, it brings pain to himself and the teeth are also damaged.
Sticky teeth desserts: Sucrose adhering to the teeth is converted into acidic substances by dental bacteria, which will erode the teeth and cause tooth decay. Chewing sugar-free chewing gum can increase the secretion of saliva, neutralize acidic substances, and chewing gum can also stick away food residues.

Fluoride treatment ---- Prevention of dental caries

Fluoride is an essential trace element for the human body. It can enhance the structure of teeth and improve the acid resistance of teeth. Fluoride can also make calcium in the oral cavity precipitate on the tooth surface and repair early caries damage. Medically, it is called remineralization. Fluoride also has the effect of inhibiting acid production by cariogenic bacteria. Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste is the most convenient and effective method for preventing dental caries. Commonly used fluoride-containing anti-caries products include: low-concentration fluoride-containing coatings, mouthwashes, etc.