Including the common cold, cavities are one of the most common health problems in the world's population. We have heard about cavities from a very young age, as many people consider it to be benign. Indeed, there are too many who do not take seriously the consequences that an untreated cavity can have.
To set the record straight, the team of Dents Mon Quartier has prepared the following article to make you aware of the importance of screening and treatment of tooth decay.
The formation and evolution of tooth decay
Bacteria found inside our mouth are responsible for tooth decay. In fact, they feed on the sugary residues found in small food fragments and in dental plaque that lodge on our teeth. By metabolizing these sugars, the bacteria produce acids. It is these acids that will attack the enamel of our teeth and cause the formation of lesions, such as small holes on the surface of the teeth. This is how dental caries are born.
An untreated tooth decay will progressively attack each part of the affected tooth: the enamel a.k.a the hard, white part of our teeth where cavities originates; the dentine a.k.a. the inner part of the tooth that has a yellowish color and finally the dental pulp, that is to say the part which is in the center of the tooth and which encloses the nerves and the blood vessels. When cavities reach the dental pulp or destroys a significant proportion of the natural structure of a tooth, it may be compromised. Thus, it is important to undergo regular dental examinations for early cavities to be detected quickly.
"I do not need to see a dentist because my teeth do not hurt me"
Unfortunately, as oral health professionals, we are all too often confronted with patients who believe that the absence of pain or abnormal symptoms necessarily means that their dentition is in perfect condition.
Dental decay is asymptomatic in its early stages, which means it does not cause pain or symptoms. It can only be detected by a professional: your dentist! She or he will then be able to diagnose and treat your tooth by eliminating bacteria and sealing (filling) in order to repair it.
Please keep in mind that in many cases a decay will begin to cause pain only when it reaches the inner parts of the tooth, dentin and pulp. If nothing is done to slow its progression, the diseased tooth may need to be extracted and replaced.
Complication risks associated with dental cavities
Again, too many people believe that the only consequence associated with dental cavities is the possibility of having dental pains. However, when caries reaches the dental pulp, it can cause necrosis (death) of the dental nerve. This normally results in severe pain. A dental abscess, an advanced infection, can also form in the root of the affected tooth. Faced with such a situation, your dentist will need to perform a root canal treatment to treat the tooth and may need to cover it with a crown to protect it. In the worst cases where the integrity of the tooth has been severely compromised, it must be extracted and replaced.
At Dents Mon Quartier, the prevention of dental caries is certainly an integral part of our preventive dentistry services. Our team is happy to receive you regularly to examine you and direct you to the care you need. Do not take any risk regarding the health of your smile and consult your dentist to receive care adapted to your condition.
Approved by Dre Charouk
Dr. Joumana Charouk, D.M.D, is proud to offer her patients exceptional care that combines experience, efficiency and good humor.
Dre Joumana Charouk, D.M.D