It is an infectious disease that affects 90% of the population. Tooth decay is caused by the action of certain bacteria present in the oral cavity, associated with the presence of plaque, due to poor oral hygiene, which can lead to partial or total destruction of the tooth. In extreme cases, tooth decay can lead to extensive infections, known as oro-facial cellulitis, which can have serious repercussions on the patient’s overall health.
Tooth Decay
What is tooth decay?
How to know if you have cavities?
When you feel a cavity or the absence of part of a tooth, it could be an advanced stage of tooth decay. Small cavities, in the early stages, can only be detected by the dentist, and often X-rays are needed to detect interproximal cavities (between the teeth). Extensive cavities between the teeth can be detected by the patient when using dental floss, as it may get caught or tear.
A regular dental check-up every 6 months helps prevent the development of cavities, which are usually detected early. If you notice yellow, white, brown, or black spots on the surface of your teeth, you should consult your dentist.
Duration of the Effect
The duration varies and is influenced by daily oral hygiene, dietary habits, tobacco use, among other factors. In some cases, the color lasts for several years, while in others, an annual touch-up may be necessary.
Development of Tooth Decay
When foods containing carbohydrates, such as sweets, cakes, gummies, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc., are consumed, cariogenic bacteria break them down, producing acids that dissolve the tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.
This process is particularly effective at night if proper oral hygiene is not performed before bed, as saliva production decreases during sleep. Saliva helps keep the mouth hydrated during the day, reducing bacterial effects.
Cavity Prevention
When foods containing carbohydrates, such as sweets, cakes, gummies, pasta, potatoes, rice, etc., are consumed, cariogenic bacteria break them down, producing acids that dissolve tooth enamel, resulting in cavities.
This process is especially effective at night if proper oral hygiene is not performed before sleeping, as saliva production decreases during sleep. Saliva helps keep the mouth hydrated during the day, reducing bacterial effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Currently, the preferred aesthetic material is composite resin, used for restoring both anterior teeth (incisors and canines) and posterior teeth (molars and premolars). For posterior teeth, especially in children, silver amalgam, a metallic alloy, may also be used.
When lesions are extensive, teeth may become significantly damaged. In such cases, the treatment of choice is an onlay or overlay, which can be made of ceramic or composite resin, depending on the clinical situation. In more severe cases, a crown is necessary. These treatments are computer-designed in laboratories with high precision and adaptability.
Traditionally, the restorative material of choice was dental amalgam, which, despite its highly stable and durable performance, has a significant aesthetic disadvantage compared to composite resins. These resins have since replaced dental amalgam as the preferred restorative material.
The process of tooth decay is gradual, starting with the appearance of a white and/or brown spot on the enamel surface, which progresses into a cavity.
Through this cavity, bacteria quickly reach the dentin, which is a softer tissue than enamel and is therefore more easily dissolved by the acids produced by the bacteria. In the early stages of the disease (small cavities), there are usually no significant symptoms.
However, in more advanced stages (deeper cavities), symptoms can include discomfort, increased tooth sensitivity, and bad breath. In more complicated cases, there may be moderate to severe pain in response to various stimuli (hot, cold, or sweets), or even spontaneous, intense pain.
In these cases, the decay has reached the dentin near the dental pulp, causing progressively worse symptoms as it deepens.
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