Caries And Tooth Coloured Filling in Pune

Dental decay or cavities affect most people irrespective of age, sex, or social background.

What are cavities or dental decay?

Decay or dental caries is a disease in which the tooth is destroyed by softening as a result of the growth of microorganisms on and around the teeth in presence of food particles.

How do Cavities form on the Tooth?

The microorganisms that exist in the mouth along with the food debris from a sticky thin, translucent layer on the tooth called dental plaque.

The plaque in the initial stages can easily be removed by brushing and flossing.

If it is not removed, the plaque gets attached firmly to the teeth and the bacteria multiply, and in the process, release mild acids that destroy the tooth structure.

The enamel gets destroyed layer by layer and the bacteria gradually penetrate deeper into the tooth.

The affected part of the tooth gets weakened and breaks during chewing and results in a cavity.

The process is slow and continues until proper treatment is executed.

How do you Detect Decay?

The dentist can detect initial decay by examination of the teeth and by taking an X-ray. If not detected early, decayed portions of the teeth become black/brown in color and can be easily spotted.

In case of decay between two teeth, the patient usually complains of food remaining stuck in that area.

Does decay spread from one tooth to other?

No, it does not. However, it can start on many teeth simultaneously.

Do all cavities on tooth cause pain?

The pulp of the tooth contains the nerve endings and blood vessels and is protected by the outer enamel and dentin layer.

Shallow cavities at the depth of enamel and the surface of dentin are painless.

As the depth of the cavity increases in dentin, the tooth becomes painful on eating hot, cold, sour, or sweet foods. Once the decay reaches pulp the pain is intolerable.

Can a filled or restored tooth get decayed?

Yes, even a cavity filled with a permanent filling can develop dental caries below the filling.

Hence, better care by brushing, flossing the restored tooth along with routine checkup will enhance long-term success.

Does regular brushing keep decay away?

Yes to a great extent, since it controls the formation of dental plaque that predisposes to decay.

However, other factors like deep grooves and pits on the grinding surface of teeth, weak teeth with less calcium content can make them more susceptible to decay

Is decay of teeth only due to the eating of chocolates and sweets?

All kinds of sticky and sweet foodstuffs, not just chocolates, promote plaque and growth of caries-causing microbes.

This predisposes to dental caries. Besides, other causes include poor oral hygiene, teeth having deep grooves and pits, etc.

Should decay in milk teeth be filled?

Milk teeth are important for the overall growth and development of children and in particular the jaws and face.

Also, they maintain the space for incoming permanent teeth. Hence, they need to be saved with restorations until their exfoliation.

Does decay occur in old age?

Yes, it does but less frequently and is commonly seen on the exposed part of the root.

Advancing age usually results in the recession of the gums resulting in exposure to the root surfaces of the teeth.

Food and plaque easily accumulates around these areas leading to decay if oral hygiene is poor

Is it true that raw vegetables & fibrous food lower the chances of decay?

A refined form of food easily sticks in and around the teeth and enhances the formation of dental plaque whereas eating fibrous food helps in cleansing the teeth during chewing.

Decay is more frequently seen in urban people who eat more refined foods and hence is known as an of disease of modern civilization.

Does diet help in prevention of decay?

Yes, a balanced diet of essential proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins keeps the mouth healthier.

Reduction of refined food, especially sweet and sticky food, and eating fruits and vegetables and other fibrous food have a big role in reducing decay.

Is it true that some type of chewing gums help prevent decay?

Yes, only sugar-free chewing gums containing xylitol has shown promising results in reducing decay, while others that contain sugar do not help.