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Dental caries
What are the harms of dental caries in children?
Due to not forming the habit of brushing daily during childhood, and the frequent consumption of sugary foods during this period, the incidence of dental caries in children is relatively high. The onset of the disease is due to the presence of a large amount of dental plaque on the teeth, where bacteria gradually corrode the teeth, leading to the occurrence of caries. Initially, caries damage the tooth enamel on the surface, further progress destroys the dentin, and finally, it penetrates the dental pulp, forming pulpitis, which presents with obvious swelling and pain. Severe cases can also cause periapical periodontitis, leading to tooth loss, and affecting the normal emergence of permanent teeth. Therefore, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene and seek timely symptomatic treatment when children develop dental caries.
Do early-stage cavities need to be treated?
Cavities refer to the chronic, progressive destructive disease of the hard tissues of the teeth under the influence of plaque bacteria. For early-stage carious white spots, fluorides, fluoride toothpaste, or topical fluoride application can be used to halt the progression of cavities at that stage and prevent further development. Inactive caries can be effectively prevented and treated by brushing and rinsing. If not taken seriously, the cavity will continue to develop deeper, which can be classified into superficial, moderate, and deep caries. After the occurrence of cavities, patients may experience pain from thermal stimuli and pain from food impaction. When the stimuli are removed, the pain disappears. Cavities need treatment. If left untreated, they can lead to pulpitis, periapical periodontitis, and even result in tooth loss. Thus, early-stage caries should be adequately attended to, with an emphasis on early detection and treatment of cavities.
How to brush teeth with cavities
Cavities are a disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth, belonging to a type of self-destructive and infectious disease, and cavities need to be treated in a timely manner. When brushing teeth with cavities, it is especially important to brush thoroughly. Fluoride toothpaste can be used to clean each surface of the teeth, including the occlusal, buccal, lingual, and the insides of the teeth. Sometimes it is difficult for the bristles to reach the inside of the teeth, in which case an interdental brush or dental floss can be used to clean these areas to prevent the occurrence of cavities inside the teeth. Besides brushing, it is also necessary to fill the teeth promptly, also known as dental filling.
What causes cavities in children?
There are many causes of dental cavities in children, with bacterial infection being a common one. During childhood, if teeth are not brushed promptly after eating, the amount of bacteria in the mouth increases. These bacteria then break down food, producing glucose or lactic acid, which leads to demineralization on the surface of the teeth, eventually causing cavities over time. Additionally, it might be related to the sleep patterns during childhood, as children have longer sleep durations. During sleep, the brain inhibits saliva production, which reduces its effectiveness in washing away food residue on the teeth, thereby making cavities more likely to develop. Furthermore, children's preference for sweets also contributes to the high incidence of cavities.
Is tooth sensitivity caused by exposed nerves?
When a patient has dental caries, it can cause some damage to the gum tissue, resulting in the gums being in a state of acute inflammation. At this time, the gums may be particularly sensitive, especially to hot and cold stimuli, but this does not necessarily mean that the nerves in the gums are exposed. It is recommended that patients pay attention to a light diet and avoid overly hot or spicy foods, as well as hard foods that may irritate the sensitive gum tissue, leading to discomfort. Therefore, patients are advised to maintain a light diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, and drink plenty of water. Additionally, it is crucial for patients to develop healthy oral hygiene habits. It is recommended that patients visit the hospital in a timely manner for consultation, and receive specific treatment plans based on the extent of the damage caused by the caries.
Does removing a cavity-affected tooth have any impact?
Cavities, also commonly referred to as tooth decay, can impact daily life depending on the situation. Generally, if the cavity is not severe, extraction is not necessary, and treatment should be attempted if possible. However, extraction can be harmful, as it creates a gap. The teeth adjacent to this gap can be affected, leading to tilting towards the gap or becoming loose, which may impact how the teeth come together when biting. The body has a protective mechanism that can automatically close this space, but although this closes the gap, it may destabilize the overall bite alignment and function, potentially affecting the temporomandibular joint function. Therefore, if tooth decay occurs, it is advised to seek prompt treatment at a formal dental hospital or a major hospital’s dental pulp department, where the decayed and necrotic tissue can be removed and the cavity filled to restore the shape of the tooth crown and some of the biting function.
If cavities that do not have holes are not filled, how will they develop?
In such cases, it is recommended that patients seek timely treatment at a dental clinic. Generally, the treatment might involve cleaning the area around the cavity. If the cavity is deep but not painful, a temporary filling with zinc oxide eugenol may be used. If there is no pain after about a week, a permanent filling can be placed, and root canal therapy may not be necessary. Specifically, it is best to go to the hospital for an X-ray to examine the condition properly. If there is food impaction in the teeth, it might indicate the presence of cavities. It is advisable for the patient to undergo some examinations to fill these cavities. Considering the sensitivity of the teeth, active treatment should be pursued.
Cavities that do not hurt still require root canal treatment.
Cavities that do not hurt may or may not require root canal treatment, depending on the extent of the decay. If the cavity has not reached the dental nerves, there will not be noticeable pain. In such cases, since the decay is relatively superficial, direct filling, or dental restoration can be performed without the need for root canal treatment. If the cavity is severe and has reached the dental nerves, causing the nerves to become necrotic and purulent, there will be no pain due to the loss of sensory function from nerve death. In these situations, root canal treatment is needed. This involves removing the infected dental nerves, followed by medicinal treatment of the root canal, and after the inflammation is controlled, filling of the root canal is performed. In other words, a painless cavity might actually be caused by necrosis and pus formation in the dental nerves, requiring root canal treatment.
Can you ignore a cavity if it doesn't hurt?
When patients develop dental caries, it is recommended that they visit a formal medical institution for treatment. If the tooth decay is not addressed, it may worsen significantly. While it may not always cause pain, the teeth can still be damaged. Over time, the teeth might deteriorate severely, potentially leaving only the roots. This could also lead to damage to the tooth roots, causing inconvenience in the patient's dietary life and might lead to severe complications later on, including pain and irritation to the gum tissue. Therefore, it is advised that patients seek early medical treatment and undergo appropriate therapeutic measures based on the condition of their dental caries.
Can cavities be seen with the naked eye?
Some cavities are visible to the naked eye, while others are not. Clinically, some cavities can be observed with the naked eye. Such cavities usually have damage that extends beyond the enamel, with obvious cavities and incomplete tooth structures visible. For example, cavities on the biting surfaces of molar teeth and on the adjacent surfaces of front teeth that are moderate to severe can be seen with the naked eye. However, not all cavities can be observed with the naked eye. When the decay is confined within the enamel without obvious cavity formation, it cannot be seen with the naked eye, but it can be diagnosed by taking dental X-rays. Clinically, there are also some cavities on adjacent surfaces where the decay starts from hidden parts of the tooth; some of these might show ink-soaked-like dark brown discoloration on the biting surfaces, but they too require dental X-rays for diagnosis.