Dental caries

Causes
Decay is formed as a result of the combination of three factors, namely food, the formation of tooth plaque. Nutrition plays two distinct roles in oral health: first, nutrients consumed affect the development and maintenance of tissues of the mouth, and secondly, property and food composition influence the plaque and the amount of saliva. Good nutrition helps produce enough saliva. Saliva helps to neutralize the acid produced by bacteria to help the process of remineralization of the tooth. Decay occurs when periods of demineralisation exceeds that of mineralization. The diet plays a direct role in preventing tooth decay as saliva, fluoride and good oral hygiene. The acidity of the saliva influences the development of caries. One need only think of people who do not brush your teeth daily and with no more cavities than those who do it three times a day. Their acidity is probably lower than others.
Among the factors associated with the incidence of tooth decay is the sugar content of food texture (liquid, solid food that adheres to the teeth), the retention time in the mouth (which increases the time bacteria can feed), the time interval between meals / snacks (decreases time remineralization / demineralization), the frequency of consumption of sugary foods and the consumption of foods during a meal.
Heredity parents also plays a role in the quality of teeth of the person. Plaque in turn is the result of food debris, saliva and bacteria that attach to the tooth. The bacteria in plaque assimilate sugars, multiply and secrete an acid that attacks tooth and leads to the formation of cavities.

Bottle syndrome
A type of tooth decay among young children is bottle syndrome. Bottle syndrome is characterized by severe dental caries. If a child is having a bottle during naps and at night, the liquid flowing from the bottle accumulate around the teeth and produce acid, responsible for large cavities. Milk, formula milk and fruit juices contain sugar. The bottle should not be left to the child during her sleep, so to prevent the liquid can stay around the teeth

Symptoms and signs
Caries fits in areas difficult to clean. It is like a black stain the enamel of the tooth. It attacks the fabric of the crown (enamel, dentin and cementum) and form a hole. If the decay reaches the pulp, the person will feel the pain. More decay progresses, the tooth becomes more sensitive. It will be particularly sensitive to cold, heat and sugar.

Treatment and prevention
It would be wrong to think that we repair a bunt just to the aesthetic side. If it does not decay, it will reach the dentin (ivory), allowing bacteria to reach the pulp and cause infection of the bone (abscess). It should therefore be treated as soon as possible to avoid damage to make the most important. Dental cavity is first cleaned to remove all traces of bacteria and sealed by a restoration, for example, amalgam.
The research, health practices today, prevention programs and education have greatly contributed to reducing tooth decay and preservation of the teeth of the majority of adults. Not so long ago, it was not uncommon to wear dentures at the age of 30 years. Apart from the wisdom teeth, it rarely extract teeth. They are repaired or replaced with prostheses (crowns, bridges, etc.).. However, the new repair methods create some slackness on the part of people: they are now convinced they can eat everything and they do not brush their teeth regularly since the dentist is here to repair excesses.
Whatever our dietary habits, oral hygiene is very important in the prevention of dental caries. Brushing teeth is a major means. A good brushing should take about two to three minutes. It must be strong, frequent (2 to 3 times daily, especially at bedtime) and correctly, ie from root to tip over the entire surface of the tooth. We must wash the brush between each use - a washing in the dishwasher can remove bacteria that may be there - and change it regularly. The toothpaste should be used sparingly (the size of a pea green) so that the brush between good contact with the teeth and not that it glides over them. Gargle with mouthwash can help prevent dental plaque, but note that this is not a surefire way. The use of thread (silk) dental is recommended, particularly adults who are more likely to experience periodontal disease. The floss will remove the pieces of food trapped between teeth and hard to access with the brush. Of course, regular visits (1 time per year) to the dentist to help prevent and treat cavities.

Fluor
The use of fluoride is an excellent way to prevent cavities. He joins in dentin and enamel during tooth formation of the tooth and acts as a shield. That is why it is recommended to provide fluoridated water to children, drops or tablets of fluoride during the first 12 years of their lives. The dentist will benefit from the annual visit of your child to apply fluoride to teeth. You should know that fluoride affects the teeth in training and has no effect on adult teeth.

Cleaning teeth in children
If your child is too young to use a toothbrush, clean his teeth and gums with your finger that you have wrapped in gauze moistened or a small washcloth. When your child is older and brush his teeth alone, we need help from time to time and see if his brushing technique is adequate. Visual inspection is the best way to control dental hygiene habits of a child. Look around food particles between teeth and teeth. Do not forget to visit your dentist regularly to clean your child's teeth and to monitor the progress of his teeth.

Food preference
During a meal, the last food intake has a great influence on the duration of acidification of dental plaque. The anticaries foods are rich in fiber, nuts, eggs, meat and cheese. Studies are increasingly taking to demonstrate that the cheese would be a means of prevention against cavities. It is alkaline, contains calcium, phosphorus and casein, a protein substance that protects tooth enamel and prevents demineralisation. In addition, cheese stimulates saliva production, which helps to dilute the sugars and eliminate them from the mouth. Happens when you take a snack and you can not brush your teeth, finish your meal with a piece of cheese, vegetables or nuts.


Foods to avoid
The diet rich in carbohydrates is a major cause of tooth decay. The foods most cariogenic are the sticky and sweet confections, cakes or chocolate bars and sweetened soft drinks during long sirotées infants (bottles in bed) or by young children. It is therefore preferable to eat these foods quickly rather than stretch their consumption throughout the day. Foods rich in starch (complex carbohydrates: bread, cereals, pasta ...) can also be harmful if they remain long in the mouth or if consumed frequently during the day. The fruit sugars are also cariogenic action. In addition, foods that do not contribute to production of saliva are more likely to cause cavities.