What Are Dental Caries and How to Prevent Them

Dental caries, otherwise known as tooth decay, is an oral problem that literally causes the teeth to rot. It is one the most common diseases in the world. If left untreated, this disease can cause tooth loss, infection and could even prove fatal in worse cases.

Dental caries usually starts as a small, chalky area which develops into a larger cavity. Some cavities are visible to the naked eye, but some require special equipment and procedures to be found. Cavities in between teeth, can only be detected using special equipment like radiographs and lasers.

Several symptoms of dental caries can be spotted before it could get worse. A small, chalky area on the tooth’s surface could show sign of demineralization. Once it turns brown, things start to get worse. Fortunately, the tooth can still be saved at this point. The tooth could still be remineralized. Once a cavity appears, it’s over; the tooth will forever be damaged. An example of a remineralized area of a tooth will look like a shiny brown part. A dull brown part, on the other hand, is a sign of active caries.

For smaller regions, remineralization could occur because of one’s saliva. For slightly bigger lesions, there are topical fluoride gels that can do the trick. Medication may be given at your local St. Petersburg dental center but if the damage is too big, professional dental restoration is the only answer.

Restoration is done inside the St. Petersburg dental center. Anesthetics and sedatives are administered to the patient to reduce the pain. The huge portion of the decay is drilled out and the rest of the decay is scooped from the cavity. The cavity is then cleaned and filled with dental amalgam to preserve aesthetics and functionality. For more severe cases, the tooth is reduced to a small size and then covered with a new crown, usually made of porcelain or metal.

As always, prevention is always better than cure. Good oral hygiene will prevent dental caries from developing. A high-calcium and low-sugar diet is best for your teeth. Visiting your St. Petersburg dental center every six months for oral prophylaxis and other extra preventive treatments will also do wonders for you and your teeth.