How to get rid of cavities: Tooth cavity facts

Like other body parts, teeth are also prone to infections.  This infection progress and damage tooth to create a pit into it, which is better known as cavity.How to get rid of cavities, lets see…

How cavity formation takes place

The configuration of tooth is not very smooth or uniform. It is quite unevenwith elevations and depressions. Due to this kind of structure, there is always a possibility of food lodgment into it. 

When these lodged food remnants are not cleaned properly, germs grow into it and infect the tooth. These germs thrive on carbohydrate and sugar containing foods and produce acids.                                                                                 
This acid leads to tooth decay, which  gradually progress deep into tooth and creates cavity.



Why cavity formation occurs in spite of daily tooth-brushing

The main reason behind this is the incorrect brushing technique. A wrong brushing technique hinders toothbrush to reach each and every corner of mouth. This lefts these areas unclean and thus even a daily use of high quality and expensive toothbrush and toothpaste fails to prevent cavity formation.

Causes

1. Lack of oral hygiene: An impaired oral hygiene facilitates germ growth.

2. Over intake of fried, sweet and sticky foods: These kinds of foods easily stick over tooth surface, and are difficult to clean. Germ growth readily occurs over them.

3. Frequent Snacking:  Snacks usually are fried and sticky. Their frequent consumption constantly makes teeth unclean and and makes it difficult to maintain oral hygiene.

4. Decreased Saliva secretion: Saliva due to its remineralizing and antiseptic action, is extremely helpful in preventing cavity formation. In individuals with dry mouth, a reduced saliva secretion is present, which increases risk of cavity formation.

5. Over consumption of acidic foods and beverages: Acidic foods such as lemon, tamarind and beverages such as carbonated soft drinks, soda, alcohol create an acidic environment, which increases the chances of formation of cavity. 

Symptoms

A cavity in tooth may present with some or all of these symptoms:

1. Food lodgment within tooth.

2. Presence of dark or discoloured pit on Tooth

3. Sensitive tooth.

Treatment

1. Filling: cavity is filled with an appropriate filling material after removing the decayed part.

2. Root canal treatment: In case of deep and painful cavity, root canal therapy may be required.

Prevention

1. Maintenance of oral hygiene: Tooth brushing and mouthwash twice daily.

2. Using fluoride toothpaste: Fluoride makes a protective layer on teeth, preventing them from cavity.

3. Pit and fissure sealing: Teeth with highly uneven surface texture are made even by application of a sealant, which reduces the risk of food lodgment on tooth.

4. Use of Inter-Dental brush and dental floss: Using them along with normal toothbrush facilitates cleaning in between of individual teeth.

5. Fluoride application: In the regions where there is a deficiency of fluoride in drinking water, there is a high risk of cavity formation. In such areas, in office application of fluoride is done over teeth of children, to provide them a cavity protection. This technique is also used in children with high incidence of cavities.

6. Use of Xylitol chewing gum : Xylitol is a kind of sugar which do not create any risk of cavity formation. Use of this chewing gum is beneficial for individuals with dry mouth.


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