Caries is a very common and widespread health problem, in fact one of the most significant problems in modern dental care. What our patients are most interested in is how to recognize the appearance of caries, how this problem is treated, whether the procedure is painful, and what will happen if the tooth caries is not repaired. And what we dentists put the greatest emphasis on are causes and prevention. Because when you know how caries on the teeth occurs and how to prevent it, then you are on the right path to avoid encountering this inconvenience.
If you already have a problem with caries, our advice is not to waste time and turn to experts, Los Gatos Dentist from Oak Meadow Dental Clinic will be happy to answer any questions you may have about caries – contact us via the contact form, email address or simply call us!
Caries can cause pain and serious problems!
Caries: 7 most important questions and answers
We single out for you questions on the topic of caries, which have proven to be the most common and the most important in our practice. You can share your experiences and dilemmas with us in the form of comments at the bottom of the text.
1. What is caries?
Caries is a chronic tooth disease that usually occurs very early, most often in childhood.
2. How does caries occur?
The oral cavity is inhabited by cariogenic bacteria from the earliest age. When the acids produced by these bacteria combine with tartar and food debris between the teeth, then tooth damage in the form of caries can occur.
3. How do I know that it is caries?
If you notice that you are bothered by hot or cold drinks and food, sweets or pressure on a certain tooth, this phenomenon can be interpreted as the first symptom of caries. Signs that should alert you to a timely visit to the dentist are staining on the biting or some other surface of the tooth, then a hole in the tooth. Toothache is an unmistakable signal that something is happening to one of the teeth. If the toothache grows into strong, unbearable pain that spreads to other parts of the head and jaw, or you notice pus, know that these symptoms require an urgent visit to the dentist!
4. Is caries transient?
Caries-causing bacteria can be transmitted through saliva, e.g. from parent to child, since babies and young children are particularly susceptible to this because their oral flora has not yet formed. Caries in children is especially important to prevent because healthy deciduous teeth are a prerequisite for healthy permanent teeth.
5. What does caries treatment look like?
How caries on a tooth will be treated depends on what stage it is in. For early caries, in the initial phase, the solution is filling the teeth. When the caries is in an advanced phase and affects the part of the tooth where the nerve is, then a cure for deep caries is necessary and the root canals of the tooth are treated first, and then the filling is started.
6. How to prevent tooth decay?
When we properly maintain oral hygiene and go for regular check-ups at the dentist, we can prevent the appearance of caries or at least notice and treat it in time. Calculus removal every 6 months contributes to making our teeth less susceptible to caries. Also, the application of fluoride is one of the simplest ways of daily caries prevention.
7. What are the consequences and complications of not treating caries?
If it is not detected at the very beginning of its occurrence, dental caries spreads to the adjacent surfaces of the teeth, very often affecting the adjacent teeth. Then comes more and more serious complications, such as:
pulpitis (inflammation of the tooth pulp),
gangrene (pulp death in the presence of bacteria),
periodontitis (inflammation of the supporting tissue of the tooth), and finally (
… Tooth loss – one or more of them.
Due to the loss of a larger number of teeth, there is a disturbance of the chewing function, which will further affect the digestion of food in the body, and thus the general health condition.
Caries prevention
The daily presence of fluoride in low concentrations in the oral cavity contributes to better remineralization of teeth and healing of initial carious lesions. The most common way to use fluoride in the world is to use toothpastes that contain fluoride.
Fluoride tablets that are chewed or sucked under parental supervision are recommended for school-age children. It has been scientifically proven that regular use of fluoride tablets at a certain age for a period of 3 years leads to a reduction in the occurrence of caries. If there is a need, or if, according to the dentist, there is a higher risk of caries, additional prevention measures are introduced.
Caries prevention: regular use of fluoride paste
Something more about tooth fluoridation
In patients at high risk of caries – those who have a high concentration of cariogenic bacteria – it is possible to use highly concentrated fluoride, it is performed exclusively in the dental office, it is short-lived and painless. Gel or liquid with high concentrations of fluoride is applied to the teeth cleaned of hard and soft deposits, which stays on the teeth for a certain time. Fluorides that are incorporated into the enamel make the tooth more resistant to the action of acids produced by bacteria and additionally slow down the appearance of defects. This treatment is recommended for preschool and school age children.
Thanks to regular visits to the dentist, every 6 months, caries can be detected at a very early stage. Respond in time and prevent the spread and complication of caries.