98% of adult Russians suffer from tooth decay. The transmission of bacteria that cause dental disease is possible with a simple kiss. Dentists recommend that you follow certain safety measures so as not to become infected with a bacterium.
What is caries?
Almost everyone knows about tooth decay based on their own painful experience. Worldwide, there is no more common infectious dental disease than tooth decay.
In addition to lack of oral hygiene, an unhealthy and sweet diet destroys teeth.
Caries leads to progressive decalcification and, consequently, subsequent enamel injury. If this protective layer of the tooth crown is destroyed, bacteria easily penetrate into the tissue. In the worst case, it threatens a complete loss of teeth.
What safety precautions should be followed?
While baby teeth are usually affected in children, tooth decay usually occurs in adults.
The reason for this may be primarily non-optimal dental care or improper oral hygiene.
Caries is contagious. Therefore, parents should not lick a bottle or spoon of children.
Otherwise, caries-causing bacteria can enter the baby’s mouth. It is also recommended to avoid kisses with people who are infected with caries.
Why does caries occur?
Tooth decay is mainly caused by bacteria in the oral cavity. They turn the sugar that a person takes into food into acid that destroys teeth. Result: holes in the teeth. Regular brushing removes bacteria and acids, greatly reducing the risk of tooth decay.
Regular dental checkups are recommended. If brown or white spots on the tooth enamel are visible in the mirror, this indicates caries.
This disease is characterized by decalcification of the tooth substance by bacteria.
Teeth sensitive to cold or heat indicate tooth decay.
Can a dentist stop tooth decay?
If therapy begins before the tooth is seriously damaged or even destroyed, tooth decay is completely reversible.
It is important that deep carious areas are completely removed.
With very small caries, simple dental procedures are enough.
Are there other typical caries symptoms besides pain and sensitive teeth?
Typical symptoms are unsightly discoloration of the teeth. The disease can also lead to severe inflammation and the loss of all teeth.
Dentists distinguish two forms depending on damage to the substance of the tooth.
If the surface is still not damaged, despite the progressive appearance of plaque, the doctor talks about the initial caries.
If the surface has already been attacked, this indicates a “caries established”.
How to prevent caries and oral care?
A guarantee of consistently beautiful teeth is regular care with the right brushing technique. Carefully press the bristles to the teeth, and then remove the remnants of food in small circular motions.
In addition to fluoride-containing toothpastes, daily use of dental floss is recommended - this is the only way to thoroughly clean the internodes, where caries is very common.
As for nutrition, it is recommended to eat brown bread and fruits more often than chocolate and chips. Vigorous chewing of an apple or pumpkin stimulates the production of saliva, leaves less deposits and, thus, leads to the drying of bacteria.
Are pains from tooth decay different from toothaches and when do I need to remove a tooth?
Toothache occurs in various forms - from a mild jerk to a throbbing pain. The latter may, for example, indicate a dead tooth nerve or an inflamed wisdom tooth. Most often, pain occurs with irritation of the dental nerves.
A tooth must be removed if it has been significantly destroyed by rotting or an accident. The same applies to cases where it is too weak due to bone loss or has severe inflammation.
Instead of a drill, a painless gel. Is this the decision of the future?
Initial caries does not need to be drilled. The gel relieves the patient from pain. It is equally beneficial that with this form of caries treatment, a healthy dental substance is not destroyed.
Unfortunately, this method is only suitable for diseases in the early stages. With far advanced caries or affected areas in the root area, there are still no effective treatments.
