Cavities‘Causes and risk factors

Cavities, tooth decay
Causes and risk factors
Demonstrations
What can we do? - Prevent
When should you consult?


Bunt softens and dissolves increasingly hard substance of the tooth. The condition begins with the tooth surface and evolves through the enamel of the tooth and ivory to penetrate to the root. It causes the famous "hole" inside the tooth that are particularly painful.

The cavity is a very common in industrialized countries. Appropriate measures could however prevent this frequency.

Causes and risk factors
The destruction of the substance of the tooth is the work of bacteria normally present in the mouth. The living space of bacteria responsible for cavities lies in the plaque (tartar) and the remains of food accommodated in the interstices, especially carbohydrates that are going to ferment the sugar, but also starch (potatoes , Bread) grape sugar and fruit. The longer these remnants of carbohydrates remain glued to teeth, the sooner the substance of the teeth will be attacked.

The products acids from bacteria dissolve the calcium in teeth which causes demineralization of the tooth surface. As long as this process is offset by the remineralization, there is a balance and teeth remain sound. If only a small part of the tooth surface is damaged, there are appropriate measures to back the process.

Risk factors for the formation of dental caries are:

Meals intermediaries or in the event based sweets that increase acidity.

Large quantities of highly acidic foods like citrus fruits, fruit juices undiluted, soft drinks and all kinds of colas (even those without sugar or so-called "light products" because of their acidity)

Food deficiency during pregnancy, if Coeliakie or sprue; predisposition

The frequent vomiting in case of bulimia or anorexia nervosa

Demonstrations
Cavities did note that an advanced stage. There is first white spots indicating a demineralization later it went black spots and holes. Other signs of decay are the fact that teeth become sensitive and painful in contact with the hot, cold and sweet. The amalgam that obturent teeth are mined, become unstable and can be detached.

On the edge of the gums, bacteria causing bleeding and inflammation (periodontitis), the latest one

(periodontal diseases). or periodontal destruction. Without treatment, teeth begin to shoes and chewing problems appear.

Another possible sequel, abscesses in the jaw.

What can we do? - Prevent
The oral hygiene is the key point and therefore should be regularly brushing their teeth after meals or at least twice a day. This eliminates the bacteria responsible for cavities. The interstices also require regular cleaning, either by using dental floss or small brushes special because plaque and leftover food can not stay without being noticed and without the ordinary toothbrush can not reach them.



The most common places for the training of dental plaque: the upper jaw, the outer surface of molars, the side of the cheek, on the lower jaw, the inner incisors.

Avoid drinks or acidic foods about a half hour before and after brushing teeth

In children, we must ensure they do not eat too many sweets or drinking sugary drinks. The bacteria in the mouth produce from sugar acids that attack teeth. This is the amount of sugar that is decisive, but the frequency of consumption of sugar. It would be best to be happy once and then carefully brushing teeth. Other snacks for aperitif such as chips and other products containing carbohydrates also represent a danger to the teeth, especially the chips form a plaque that adheres long.

The scaling regular (once or twice a year) removes bacteria to their living space. The formation of plaque is not as intense at all. The dentist or hygienist is responsible for this operation.

The salts fluoride in toothpaste, table salt fluoride, fluoride in tablet form. The fluorinated salt intake is recommended from the 2nd year. If consumption of fluoridated salt, it is unnecessary to consume more fluoride tablets. The salts help to strengthen Fluorinated teeth and can help with the care of teeth to consolidate the nascent homes cavities.

In the event of increased risk of cavities, the dentist can prescribe pasta, lacquer or special solutions.

Saliva has the power to neutralize the acid. A chewing sufficient training stimulates saliva and helps to eliminate some of the acid harmful to the teeth.

When should you consult?
It's always the dentist who must treat caries.Il is recommended to undergo regular checks at least once a year, even without symptoms of cavities. If the dentist is the first to detect damage, they are still minimal and the loss of substance is reduced. If one waits until the pain until the onset of pain, sacrifice too much dental equipment still healthy. Examination of control is often accompanied by a scaling to remove plaque.