Caries can simply be best described as tooth decay. It is also known by the name of cavities, decay, tooth rot, and baby bottle decay.
How is caries caused?
A thin film called plaque develops over the teeth within 24 hours every time the teeth are cleaned. This thin film contains bacteria, epithelial cells and food debris. The bacteria present in this dental plaque secretes certain acids, which are responsible for caries.
Are there any risk factors?
Though almost anyone and everyone can suffer from caries, there are certain individuals who are at a higher risk owing to certain problems. Some of the common risk factors for caries include dental defects, reduced flow of saliva and high acid or low fluoride environment in the mouth.
Individuals who have dental defects like fissures, grooves or enamel pits are at the maximum risk. These small cracks in the teeth are too narrow to be cleaned effectively but they are large enough to serve as a breeding ground for countless microorganisms.
Prolonged exposure to any sweet thing could also be responsible for caries. It is for this reason that children who do not brush their teeth after having some thing sweet end up being victims of caries. Infants who go to sleep with a baby bottle may also have to deal with baby bottle caries.
Elderly may also deal with caries as a result of using certain medications that may reduce salivary flow.
What are the symptoms?
When in the initial stages, caries do not show any symptoms. It is only when the condition begins to worsen that some symptoms can be noted. Some of these symptoms include pain, discomfort when eating something hot or cold, pain during chewing and the like.
How are caries diagnosed?
In most cases, direct inspection alone is sufficient to diagnose the problem. However, in some cases x-rays or certain special testing instruments may be used to diagnose the problem. Sometimes, special dyes or transillumination by fiberoptic lights may be used to spot the problem accurately.
What is the treatment?
Caries are usually treated depending upon the severity of the condition. In the initial stages, restorative therapy can help deal with the problem successfully. Caries that is confined to the enamel can be dealt with cleansing and high fluoride toothpastes.
However, if the conditions of the caries are severe and the bacteria have reached the gums or the nerve of the tooth, a root canal treatment may be required. A root canal treatment involves drilling, which is then followed by filling up of the resultant defect. A root canal treatment may require three to four sittings.
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