Tooth Decay

Fighting Cavities is Still the Dentist's Top Job...Yours Too!

Tooth decay, or dental caries, occurs when bacteria in the mouth colonize tooth surfaces. Metabolic waste products in the form of acids and enzymes cause the calcium in the teeth to be dissolved. The tooth surface is softened, allowing the bacteria to penetrate further into the tooth and the process is repeated. Certain disorders can cause a reduction in salive. Reduced saliva or xerostomia can make decay more likely.

If left unchecked, the dental infection can penetrate to the pulp of the tooth where it can cause pain and lead to infections of the surrounding bone. In rare cases, people have even died from untreated dental infections.

Tooth decay is preventable. Keeping the teeth free of bacteria by brushing and flossing, Removing the bacteria's food supply by reducing sugar intake, and hardening the teeth using fluoride treatment are all effective methods of protecting teeth from decay.

Once damage has occurred, the damged tooth structure must be removed and restored. For very early or Incipient decay, changing hygiene habits and using fluoride rinses may allow the tooth to recalcify. In very rare instances, decay has been known to stop for no apparent reason. As decay progresses into the tooth, it begins to spread more rapidly. It can usually be removed at this stage and easily replaced with a resin or other bonded filling material (some dentists still use Silver/Mercury amalgam, but it is gradually losing favor). Once more than 40-50% of the tooth surface is involved, or if decay extends below the gumline, the dentist may recommend a crown or cap to fully cover the remaining tooth to restore function and appearance.

One exciting area of research is the development of a "tooth decay vaccine". This is beggining to look quite promising. Currently, the vaccine would be given at around 25 months of age and target decay-causing bacteria. This gives hope for the future in a time when water fluoridation is coming under increasing attack. For now, Good basic oral hygiene habits and regular check-ups are still the best defense.