The thought of going to the dentist and reclining on a chair while a doctor works on our teeth is unsettling to most of us. However, sometimes our teeth feel so painful that we have to surrender to the long-dreaded visit. The main reason why we all have to pay frequent visits to the dentist is cavities. Knowing more about the treatment process, why it happens, and how it can be prevented might help most of us feel more comfortable.
What Is a Cavity?
Our mouths contain a certain number of bacteria. Some of them, like lactobacilli, are rather beneficial for oral health. However, there are also harmful bacteria that gradually destroy our teeth. When these bacteria start breeding around a tooth, plaque builds up. After each meal, the bacteria in plaque produce an acid that damages tooth enamel, leading to cavities. In conclusion, cavities are permanently damaged areas in our teeth that appear as tiny holes. We need to treat cavities right away before the bacteria do any more damage.
Types of Cavity
- Smooth surface: as evident from its name, these cavities develop in the softer areas on the sides of the teeth.
- Pit and fissure: cavities might appear on top of our teeth since food gets stuck on the uneven surface.
- Root: these are the most serious types of cavities because the root guarantees the health of the rest of the tooth. Unfortunately, the root does not have protective enamel, so we have to take better care of it.
The thought of going to the dentist and reclining on a chair while a doctor works on our teeth is unsettling to most of us. However, sometimes our teeth feel so painful that we have to surrender to the long-dreaded visit. The main reason why we all have to pay frequent visits to the dentist is cavities. Knowing more about the treatment process, why it happens, and how it can be prevented might help most of us feel more comfortable.
What Is a Cavity?
Our mouths contain a certain number of bacteria. Some of them, like lactobacilli, are rather beneficial for oral health. However, there are also harmful bacteria that gradually destroy our teeth. When these bacteria start breeding around a tooth, plaque builds up. After each meal, the bacteria in plaque produce an acid that damages tooth enamel, leading to cavities. In conclusion, cavities are permanently damaged areas in our teeth that appear as tiny holes. We need to treat cavities right away before the bacteria do any more damage.
Types of Cavity
- Smooth surface: as evident from its name, these cavities develop in the softer areas on the sides of the teeth.
- Pit and fissure: cavities might appear on top of our teeth since food gets stuck on the uneven surface.
- Root: these are the most serious types of cavities because the root guarantees the health of the rest of the tooth. Unfortunately, the root does not have protective enamel, so we have to take better care of it.
How to Prevent Cavities
- Regularly brush and floss
- Limit the consumption of sugary drinks/food
- Avoid eating food that is too hot/cold.
- No smoking
- Regular dental check-ups
Diagnosis
Dentists usually follow routine procedures to diagnose cavities in our teeth. They might begin by asking about the different sensations we have while biting or eating hot/cold food. These questions are trying to determine whether we are experiencing any teeth sensitivity issues. If the cavities are more severe, you will suffer from toothache, the knowledge of which helps the dentists diagnose the severity of your problem easier.
Since the cavities on our teeth are not painful right away, some time might pass before we go to the dentist to treat them. Meanwhile, the bacteria are destroying a larger area in our teeth. If enough time passes, tiny black spots will appear on our teeth that are often visible without the help of dental equipment. Still, during the diagnosis, the dentist will use a variety of dental instruments to examine the teeth thoroughly. Sometimes dentists ask for dental x-rays as well to make sure the root is intact.
Treatment
Depending on the severity of the situation, dentists will treat cavities using different methods.
Fluoride treatment
Dentists suggest using toothpaste that contains fluoride or gargling fluoride varnish. Fluoride is a natural mineral that exists in water in small amounts. This substance helps us maintain oral hygiene. It mixes with the calcium and phosphate in our teeth’s enamel and helps strengthen the protective cover. If cavities are detected in the early stages, fluoride can help reverse the process.
Tooth fillings
Fillings are the most common treatment for decayed teeth. The process begins with the dentist removing the affected area and cleaning the tooth. Then, filling materials are used to compensate for the removed parts. Dentists use different materials to fill cavities. The most common one today is composite filling, a combination of resin and glass.
Other filling materials include amalgam filling, glass ionomer, and gold filling. Amalgam is a mixture of metals such as tin, copper, and mercury. Although the use of mercury in tooth fillings seems problematic to some, experts confirmed that the mercury level is far too low to cause any toxicity. Therefore, amalgam is a safe method, yet it might still not be desirable for some because of its dark color. Many prefer tooth-colored fillings like composite and glass ionomer, which contains powdered glass that releases fluoride to prevent more cavities. Gold fillings are the most durable filling material lasting for about 20 years. As the name suggests, it’s a blend of gold, copper, and other metals.
Crowns
If fillings don’t suffice to cure the decayed area, dentists will suggest having a crown put on top of your tooth. The first step is to examine the tooth and x-rays of the area. Then the dentist will file down the decayed tooth to remove cavities and make room for the crown. Next, a small amount of paste is used to make a copy of the remaining tooth to determine how it will receive the crown. It is crucial to make an accurate impression to prevent the crown from affecting the patient’s bite. Consequently, the crown is made in a laboratory and gets put on the tooth by the dentist.
Crowns are made of different materials:
- Metal
- Porcelain
- Resin
- Ceramic