Four factors must be present for tooth decay: the tooth itself, sugar, bacteria, and time. Bacteria feed on sugar and produce acid that causes tooth decay. And, as you know, we are sweet people, rich in sugar in the blood and other fluids – saliva is no exception.
How common is caries?
Tooth decay is one of the most common dental diseases and affects a huge part of the population.
Recent studies in dental health have shown that about 31% of adults in the UK have visible tooth decay, and about a third of children aged 12 also have cavities.
In general, if you have lived to the age of 25 and you have only a few fillings in your teeth – congratulations, this is an indicator of good heredity and excellent hygiene. And, frankly, what does not scare dentists scares most of the population – after all, we are already starting to calculate how much money will be spent on dentist services by the age of 40.
However, good hygiene and regular check-ups can save both teeth and money.
Why does caries occur?
The sugar found in sugary foods and our own saliva leads to bacterial growth and an increase in plaque.
Bacteria produce acid that erodes the surface of the tooth. Saliva balances the amount of acid produced. But if plaque accumulates on the teeth, this effect disappears. Plaque adheres tightly to the surface of the teeth, blocking the access of buffer substances of saliva, which are responsible for neutralizing excess acids in the oral cavity.
A decayed tooth has many different appearances depending on the degree of decay. At first, caries can be invisible, or start in hard-to-reach places – between teeth or under a filling or crown. The spots may appear white or chalky at first and then become darker, ranging from brown to black. Due to the loss of mineral structure, the tooth can become soft and spongy, making it more prone to decay and chipping .
caries treatment
Usually the destroyed area is removed and replaced with a filling. The malleability of fillings allows them to take the shape of the original tooth, and then harden and securely cover the tooth from exposure.
When installing a filling, be sure to check with your doctor when it will be necessary to replace the filling. In general, this will depend on the material from which the seal is made.
If caries is left untreated, the decay will progress and the tooth may become painful as the decay gets closer to the nerve. If the caries reaches the nerve, your dentist will need to extract the tooth or perform a root canal treatment.
Diabetes and caries prevention
- The use of fluoride toothpaste helps protect the tooth surface from decay.
Maintaining good blood sugar control will also help reduce the rate of plaque buildup, as well as bacterial growth and consequent acidity.
Which oral care products to choose for diabetes?
For people with diabetes, a special series DiaDent has been developed . It includes toothpastes and rinses designed to solve specific problems. The effectiveness of DiaDent products has been confirmed by clinical studies. They help fight dental problems that occur against the background of increased concentrations of glucose in saliva. The use of the series is suitable both as a preventive measure and during treatment.
The gentle abrasive system of pastes helps to gently remove plaque from tooth enamel. Antiseptic agents suppress the development of pathogenic microflora. The pastes also contain regenerating and anti-inflammatory complexes.
The line includes DiaDent Active paste, which is recommended for people with bleeding gums, periodontal diseases, as well as other inflammatory processes of the gums and oral mucosa. The substance betaine, which is part of the paste, provides additional hydration.
Paste DiaDent Regular is recommended for daily use. The composition includes substances that care for the enamel (active fluorides are included in the tooth enamel and create a protective film on its surface) and suppress caries development factors. Oat extract, allantoin, and vitamin complex help to improve the nutrition of gum tissue.
Rinsers DiaDent Regular and DiaDent Active will help complete the process of brushing your teeth. Please note that the DiaDent Active rinse aid is recommended to be used in courses of 14 days, with identical breaks.