Dental Caries (Tooth decay)

Tooth decay is the gradual erosion of enamel (the protective covering
of the tooth) and dentine (the substance below the enamel). Plaque
formation is the main cause of tooth decay. The most common sites of initial
decay are areas where plaque easily becomes trapped, such as the grinding
surfaces of the back teeth (which have minute grooves in them), the lateral
(side) edges of adjacent teeth, and near the gum line. Plaque consists of food
remains, salivary mucus by-products, and the bacteria that live in the mouth.
The bacteria feed mainly on the fermentable carbohydrates (simple sugars
and starches) in food, and in breaking them down, create an acid that
gradually destroys enamel, forming a cavity. If the process is not checked,
the dentine gets eroded. The cavity gets enlarged enabling the bacteria to
invade the pulp at the centre of the tooth and causes infection.

Symptoms of Dental Caries (Tooth decay):

Early decay does not usually cause any symptoms. The chief symptom
of advanced decay is tooth ache, which may be aggravated by eating very
sweet, hot or cold food. Decay may also cause bad breath.

Treatment for Dental Caries (Tooth decay) :

Treatment consists of the drilling away the area of decay and filling the
cavity with either dental amalgam (a mercury alloy) or cement (a composite
resin that matches the colour of the tooth). In cases of advanced decay, it
may be necessary to remove the infected pulp (the central, living part of a
tooth) and replace it with a filling or to extract the tooth.

Dental Caries (Tooth decay)

Symptoms of Dental Caries (Tooth decay):

Treatment for Dental Caries (Tooth decay) :

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