Dental Caries (Cavities)

Dental caries is the scientific term for tooth decay or cavities. Tooth decay is the destruction of your tooth enamel -- the hard, outer layer of your teeth. This issue can affect children, teens and adults. It is caused by specific types of bacteria. They produce acid that destroys the tooth's enamel and the layer under it, the dentin. Many different types of bacteria normally live in the human mouth. They build up on the teeth in a sticky film called plaque. When you eat or drink foods or beverages containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth, and over time the enamel can break down. They are too small to see at first. But they get larger over time.

Acid also can seep through pores in the enamel. This is how decay begins in the softer dentin layer, the main body of the tooth. As the dentin and enamel break down, a cavity is created.

Cavities usually do not hurt, unless they grow very large and affect nerves or cause a tooth fracture. An untreated cavity can lead to an infection in the tooth called a tooth abscess. Untreated tooth decay also destroys the inside of the tooth (pulp). This requires more extensive treatment, or possibly removal of the tooth.

Treatment

If the decay is not too serious, the dental team will remove all the decay and repair the tooth with a filling. Sometimes the nerve in the middle of the tooth can be damaged. If so, the dentist will need to carry out root canal treatment by removing the nerve and then repairing the tooth with a filling or a crown.If the tooth is so badly decayed that it cannot be repaired, the dentist may have to take the tooth out. Neglecting even just one unhealthy tooth can start a slippery downward spiral. When you live with one or several unhealthy or missing teeth over a long period of time, you are putting yourself at risk for a number of challenges, including:

• A shift in your jawbone can impair your speech and change your facial structure.

• You may lose confidence and become more introverted or even antisocial.

• You may become unable to chew nutritious foods needed to keep your body healthy and to ward off obesity.

• You may become more susceptible to gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease and diabetes.

What are the options for tooth loss?

Dentures

Dentures are replacements for missing teeth that can be taken out and put back into your mouth. While dentures take some time getting used to, and will never feel exactly the same as one's natural teeth, it is still considered by some in replacing their lost tooth because the price is cheaper compared to other options like Dental implants.

Dental Implants

Dental implants have gained in popularity recently and serve as a more permanent treatment. Although they cost more up front, implants tend to offer more advantages than dentures because they:

•  won’t slip or move, giving you more confidence when speaking, eating and even kissing.
• maintain the health of surrounding teeth since they are anchored to your jawbone instead of relying on the surrounding teeth. Plus they allow normal chewing activity to maintain bone growth whereas some partials may block your natural teeth from this chewing exposure.
• tend to last longer, which could save time and money on more visits to maintain dentures otherwise.

Whether patients have lost all of their teeth or just a few, dental implants are an ideal solution providing a dental replacement that works and is aesthetically pleasing. With dental implants, you will be able to eat, speak, smile and laugh confidently. You will never have to worry about your teeth all while enjoying your everyday life.

Make sure to contact the best dental implants clinic to get the implant treatment done!