The concept of dental caries

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Cavities, also known as dental caries or tooth decay, are caused by bacterial infection that damages the hard tissues of the teeth. Once cavities occur, it is essential to intervene with dental treatment as soon as possible. Strictly speaking, cavities represent a bacterial infection caused by the failure to remove food residues timely after eating. Bacteria break down glucose, producing lactic acid, which causes demineralization of the teeth. Once cavities occur, it is crucial to undergo dental filling treatment promptly, commonly referred to as dental restoration. If the progression of decay is not promptly halted, it can lead to further complications over time, including pulpitis which causes toothache or night pain, pain during sleep intense enough to wake one from sleep, and in severe cases, facial swelling.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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If a cavity is not thoroughly cleaned before being filled, what will happen?

When a patient has severe dental caries and undergoes filling, if the decay is not completely removed before filling, it may lead to reinfection and residual decay, continuing to cause inflammation. Therefore, it is recommended that the decay be completely removed before filling. In such cases, it is generally safe for patients to seek treatment at a formal dental hospital. Official hospitals adhere to strict standards, effectively cleaning the affected area for filling and repair. Therefore, patients need not be overly anxious; this type of procedure is quite common in dentistry. Patients are advised to maintain good oral hygiene in daily life and seek timely medical attention when dental caries occur.

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Internal Medicine
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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.

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Written by Li Cui
Dentistry
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How to treat a tooth that is half decayed?

When a patient has a cavity that has already damaged the dental tissues, causing severe damage to the dental tissues, the general advice for the patient is to go directly to a regular dental hospital for treatment. The best approach is generally to extract the tooth; extraction is the best option, but it should be done when the body is in good condition to remove the damaged tooth. Additionally, patients should pay attention to oral hygiene and can take some anti-inflammatory drugs orally to effectively control inflammation. Furthermore, during tooth extraction, it is crucial to pay attention to local hygiene, be mindful of food residue inside the mouth, eat and drink before the extraction, keep a relaxed mood, and follow the doctor's advice after extraction. Generally, do not eat for two hours after the surgery, do not brush your teeth or rinse your mouth within a day, avoid touching the wound, and manage your diet reasonably.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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What will happen if tooth decay is not treated?

If dental caries are not treated, they may further infect and cause inflammation of the dental nerves, leading to pulpitis or apical periodontitis, causing severe pain. When apical periodontitis occurs, it may sometimes lead to a space infection, which is facial swelling. If the inflammation is not controlled in time, it may also cause osteomyelitis of the jawbone. Therefore, dental caries need to be treated as early as possible. Dental caries are caused by bacterial infections that lead to the decay of the hard tissues of the teeth; in the early stages of decay, using a drill to stop the development of the disease—namely, timely filling—can effectively control the further progression of dental caries. If dental caries further infect and cause inflammation of the dental nerves, it can lead to pain while eating or sleeping, sometimes waking from sleep due to pain, and in severe cases, it can cause facial swelling.

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Dentistry
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If a cavity doesn't hurt, is it better not to treat it?

Cavities are primarily caused by poor oral hygiene and the effects of bacteria in the mouth, among other factors, leading to chronic progressive destruction of the hard tissues of the teeth. Generally, the progression is slow, initially appearing as yellowish-brown spots or defects on the tooth surface without causing any pain symptoms, making the treatment fairly straightforward—simply removing the decay and filling it can often be completed in one session. However, many cavities are not treated during this optimal period and progress to the dentin, causing sensitivity to hot and cold and leading to toothache. If not treated promptly, the cavity will enlarge, and in severe cases, lead to pulp infection, causing spontaneous pain, episodic pain, and pain from temperature stimuli. At this stage, the treatment becomes more complex and painful, requiring root canal therapy, typically needing three to four follow-up visits, and thus, costing more than a simple one-time treatment. If the condition is not controlled, it may develop into apical periodontitis or apical abscess, leading to space infections. The treatment then becomes even more complicated and painful, requiring incision and drainage, along with systemic anti-inflammatory treatment. If the tooth is severely damaged, the remaining roots and crowns can become a focal point for bacterial infection, potentially inducing other diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to detect and treat cavities early—the smaller the cavity, the better the treatment outcome, also saving time and money.