Dental caries (tooth decay) is a major oral health problem in most industrialised countries, affecting 60–90% of schoolchildren and the vast majority of adults.

The early manifestation of the caries process is a small patch of demineralised (softened) enamel at the tooth surface, often hidden from sight in the fissures (grooves) of teeth or in between the teeth. The destruction spreads into the softer, sensitive part of the tooth beneath the enamel (dentine). The weakened enamel then collapses to form a cavity and the tooth is progressively destroyed. Caries can also attack the roots of teeth should they become exposed by gum recession. This is more common in older adults.

Dental caries is caused by the action of acids on the enamel surface. The acid is produced when sugars (mainly sucrose) in foods or drinks react with bacteria present in the dental biofilm (plaque) on the tooth surface. The acid produced leads to a loss of calcium and phosphate from the enamel; this process is called demineralisation.

Saliva acts to dilute and neutralise the acid which causes demineralisation and is an important natural defence against caries. Aside from buffering plaque acids and halting the demineralisation of enamel, saliva provides a reservoir of minerals adjacent to the enamel from which it can remineralise and “heal” once the acids have been neutralised. The enamel demineralises and remineralises many times during the course of a day. It is when this balance is upset and demineralisation exceeds remineralisation that caries progresses. When demineralisation occurs frequently and exceeds remineralisation over many months, there is a breakdown of the enamel surface leading to a cavity. Cavities, even in children who do not yet have their permanent teeth, can have serious and lasting complications such as pain, tooth abscess, tooth loss, broken teeth, chewing problems and serious infection.

The main treatment option for a tooth cavity is to drill out the decay and put in a filling (restoration) made from various materials (e.g., composite resins, amalgam, porcelain).Extensive tooth decay may necessitate a crown, root canal treatment or even extraction of the tooth.

How do I prevent Cavities?

You may have heard of the clichéd phrase – prevention is better than a cure.   That is certainly true in the case of cavities!

There are a variety of ways to help prevent cavities which include:

• Brushing and flossing daily; this will help reduce the amount of dental plaque and bacteria in your mouth.
• Eating sugary or starchy foods less often during the day to help reduce the amount of tooth-damaging acids in your mouth.
• Use of fluoride toothpaste, which strengthens teeth, as well as fluoride treatments provided by the dentist or taking fluoride supplements as recommended by the dentist.
• Using antibacterial mouth rinses to reduce the levels of bacteria that cause cavities.
• Chewing gum that contains xylitol; this can help decrease bacterial growth.

Preventing cavities can not only help keep your teeth healthy and beautiful for a lifetime but also prevent emergency dental care and tooth aches and save you money!

We get this question many times from patients who come in with tooth pain and wonder if they have Cavities.   Tooth pain can be caused by several reasons and tooth caries or cavities is one common cause of tooth ache.

Cavities refer to tooth decay, which occurs when specific types of bacteria produce acid that destroys the tooth’s enamel and its underlying layer, the dentin.

Three possible indications that you have a cavity are toothache, tooth sensitivity to sweet, hot or cold foods or drinks, or pain when chewing

Many different types of bacteria live in our mouths and build up on the teeth in a sticky film called dental plaque. When we eat and drink, these bacteria create acids, which can dissolve the protective layer beneath the retained plaque. The acid removes minerals from the enamel, which if left untreated can cause a cavity. Decay begins in the main portion of the tooth (the enamel) and as the enamel is broken down the decay can go deeper into the dentin and can eventually reach the nerve (pulp) of the tooth.

Your dentist can diagnose cavities by examining the tooth surface and by taking an x-ray to see if the cavity has gone from the enamel into the dentin or pulp of the tooth.

Dental implants are considered one of the best solution modern dentistry has to offer patients who have lost one, several or even all of their natural teeth. Here, we will be explaining exactly why this is.

Dental Implants: Benefits and Advantages

• Dental implants restore smiles!They support replacement teeth that are beautiful and natural looking, enabling you to smile with confidence.
• Dental implants support a strong bite!They mimic the function of natural tooth roots and are made from the exceptionally strong metal titanium, which enables you to bite down naturally as though you never lost a tooth or teeth in the first place.
• Dental implants improve speech: Trying to communicate confidently and clearly with missing teeth and/or bulky dentures can be exceptionally difficult. Dental implant supported crowns and bridges not only look and feel natural, thus improving self confidence, they also help to fill the gaps in your smile, which restores the proper interaction of the teeth, tongue and lips during speaking.
• Dental implant restorations are freestanding: They don’t require support from the adjacent healthy teeth or underlying gums as many traditional teeth replacement technologies do. As such, dental implants don’t typically affect or damage these tissues. This, in turn, spares you from much of the associated discomfort.
• Dental implants feel natural: Because implant restorations function more like natural teeth, they tend to feel natural too, which eliminates much of the discomfort and self-consciousness associated with the more conventional technologies used to replace teeth, such as tooth-supported bridges and removable dentures.
• Dental implants can last for a long time: If cared for properly with regular dental check-ups, professional cleanings and good home oral hygiene, dental implants have the potential to last you many years with minimal, if any, restoration replacement.
• Dental implants help to maintain good jawbone health: They help to keep the underlying bone stimulated and strong by transmitting to it the mechanical forces associated with eating and chewing. This helps to prevent atrophy and a loss of bone volume and density in the jaw.