Caries: what it is, causes and symptoms, photos of affected teeth

Features of dental caries diseaseCaries is considered to be a dental disease, in which hard dental tissues are affected, and enamel and dentin are destroyed. The progression of the carious process leads to the penetration of pathogenic bacteria into the pulp, which is further fraught with pulpitis, periodontitis or fistula on the gums.

Today caries occupies a leading position among all known dental diseases. According to reports, carious disease covers about 90% of the adult population.

Moreover, the incidence of caries is higher in economically developed countries, which is explained by the total consumption of sugar-containing products. Since the beginning of the twentieth century, there has been a dismal upward trend in the incidence of childhood incidence. Since the age of five, 70% of children have caries of different depths.

Features of caries formation

Description of the development of dental cariesThe formation of caries occurs due to the detrimental effect of harmful microorganisms on the tooth enamel. Constantly present in the oral cavity, they recycle food remains stuck in their teeth. As a result of the decomposition of carbohydrate compounds, organic acids are formed.

Increasing the concentration of organic acids detrimental to calcium salts - they are washed away by an aggressive acidic environment. Systematic erosion of calcium salts ultimately leads to the demineralization of teeth.

Tooth enamel is the hardest tissue in the human body. Its chemical composition is dominated by minerals, mainly hydroxyapatites. These mineral compounds exhibit high acid susceptibilitytherefore, the enamel begins to deteriorate at a pH of 4.5.

Caries rarely appears by itself, for no apparent reason. Most often, the pathological condition of the body acts as a key pathogenetic link in the development of carious disease. Weakening of general and local immune functions, diseases of the digestive system and unbalanced diet provoke caries.

Modern medicine has about 400 theories of the emergence of this dental pathology, but most of them focus on the fact that failure to comply with hygiene rules leads to the appearance of plaque on the enamel, which is the source of the disease.

A person who does not pay due attention to regular and proper cleaning of teeth, exposes his tooth enamel to the destructive effect of plaque. The build-up increases along the entire perimeter of the teeth, especially in teeth that are difficult to reach for the brush and areas where it is difficult for it to be eliminated by natural means.

As you know, food at the time of chewing often gets stuck on the lateral surfaces of the teeth and in the recesses of the masticatory organs. Over time, a solid bond is formed with the dental surface.

Begins active reproduction of bacterial flora, the main share of which is streptococci. The plaque is gradually compacted due to the mineral salts contained in the salivary fluid. The formation of plaque and mineral salts is called dental plaque.

Causes of cariogenic teeth damage

Causes of dental cariesDental plaque, being a habitat for bacteria, creates the conditions for the production of lactic acid, and that, in turn, is capable demineralize teeth. Demineralization is the first stage of carious disease.

Streptococcal microorganisms are involved in the formation of complex sugars, one of which, dextran. This polysaccharide is produced from sucrose, which is found in large quantities in easily digestible carbohydrates, so an excess of sweet food in the human diet is directly related to the development of caries.

How actively the cariogenic bacteria will manifest themselves depends on the genetic characteristics of the person. Many people have weak resistance to pathogens of caries, and people with strong immunity, and in the absence of chronic pathologies, demonstrate good resistance to caries.

Persons with immunodeficiency states are at risk. In children who have suffered exudative diathesis and rickets, caries is diagnosed twice as often. Qualitative and quantitative violation of the composition of saliva creates the prerequisites for reducing its antibacterial properties, which several times increases the risk of caries.

Somatic abnormalities and nutrient deficiencies that accompany the period of formation of dental structures, significantly weaken the resistant response. Pathological diseases of enamel hereditary, such as aplasia and hypoplasia, together with other extreme factors increase the likelihood of caries.

The human habitat plays an important role in the genesis of the carious disease. So, living in industrial areas polluted by industrial emissions, the protective function of the body is exhausted, problems with teeth appear.

The further health of the teeth largely depends on the condition of the dentition in the period of the laying. If the teeth have developed and erupted without visible complications, this significantly reduces the risk of caries.

Forms of caries and their brief description

Forms of dental caries and their characteristicsStage carious spots. Cretaceous stain is formed on the surface of the tooth and gives the damaged area a yellowish tint. This is the initial stage of tooth decay, so the surface is still smooth. You can not miss the moment, you need urgently contact a dentistas the further development of the disease will lead to higher cost of medical procedures.

Early stage caries different painless treatment, you just need to remove the stain. After that, the procedure of enamel remineralization is carried out. For this purpose, special solutions are applied to the neck of the tooth, for example, calcium gluconate. The use of the infiltration-impregnation method is widespread.

Surface caries. This stage is characterized by softening of damaged tooth enamel. It is effortlessly removed by means of an excavator. Patients rarely complain of pain. The pain may occur from falling into the carious hole of sweet or sour foods.

Visual inspection allows to detect defects in enamel of rounded shapes. When chronization of the process of the edge of the defect is gentle, with an acute course, the edges hang down. Chemical irritants and cold foods also cause pain.

Average caries. At this stage, penetration of caries into the deep layers of enamel is observed. The defeat of the enamel-dentin tissue begins. Damage to the tooth becomes more pronounced. Sick tooth causes paroxysmal pain. The dentist removes the affected part of the tooth, treats with antibacterial solutions and establishes a permanent filling.

Deep caries. Deep damage to the dentin layer occurs. The morphofunctional feature of the dentine and pulp explains their reactive and dystrophic changes. Inflammation or necrosis may develop if the damaged areas are irritated with a drill and drugs.

Types of caries on the teeth and the area of ​​its localization
Symptoms of cervical caries on the teethFeatures of bottle caries of milk teethDescription of damaged teeth with cariesFeatures of tooth damage by fissure cariesDescription of degenerative processes in dental caries
  1. The cervical. The name is due to the fact that the spots appear on the neck of the gums, next to the gum. There is increased tooth sensitivity.
  2. Bottle.Such caries is found only on milk teeth. Treat him with remineralization therapy and thorough oral hygiene.
  3. Radical. It affects the tissues adjacent to the dental root. There is pain and sensitivity.
  4. Fissure. Place location in the center of the tooth. It does not affect the cervical and root zone.

Clinical observation allowed to establish that the methodology and tactics of caries treatment is determined depending on the severity and speed of carious destruction. In this regard, there is classification of caries forms on the severity of the process:

  • Compensated. Chronic caries. Degenerative processes are slow. In carious cavities lined with solid pigmented dentin.
  • Subcompensated. Caries of medium intensity, without pronounced symptoms.
  • Decompensated. Acute course of caries. The disease develops rapidly, many carious cavities appear, which are filled with soft dentin. The systemic damage of the chewing elements is a great danger when almost all the teeth in the neck area are affected.

Methods for diagnosing caries

  1. Methods for diagnosing dental cariesVisualization method. The dentist performs a visual inspection and highlights the carious areas.
  2. X-ray method. With the help of X-rays can reveal hidden forms of caries. Effective for detecting carious cavities that are invisible to the naked eye. X-rays are not used to diagnose early stages of caries.
  3. Transillumination method. It consists in scanning the bright light fluxes of the roots of the teeth. In bright light carious zones will be highlighted in dark color. The method allows to detect small cracks in the tooth enamel.
  4. Laser diagnostics method. The laser beam is reflected from the carious cavities, while emitting a beep. The device allows you to consider caries in the early stages and in the most inaccessible places - the roots in contact with areas of enamel.
  5. Electroodontometric method. The principle of operation is based on the ability of the pulp to respond to weak currents. Affected and healthy tooth enamel reacts differently to the electrical effect, which allows the doctor to diagnose any form of caries without error.

Treatment of dental caries and its prevention

Prevention and treatment of dental cariesDiagnosing the disease at an early stage is important for effective caries treatment. The time it takes for a carious stain to develop to a deep cavity takes about a year. That is why it is so important to visit the dental office at least once every six months.

Tactics of treatment will depend on the neglect of caries. Before the beginning of medical manipulations, they remove plaque, dry the surface of the teeth and carry out the treatment with antiseptics, for example, chlorhexidine.

Restorative application, normalizing the mineral composition of enamel, is used at the stage of stains. Small areas affected by cariogenic bacteria often grind, and then remineralize and cover with a protective mixture.

The superficial, medium and deep caries form involves the removal of affected tissues. After that, the formed cavities are cleaned and the filling composition is introduced there. Severely destroyed tooth is sometimes impossible to save - advisable remove pulp and nerve.

In order not to feel all the unpleasant consequences of caries, it is not enough to use high-quality fluoride-containing paste or antibacterial rinse. In order to avoid the development of caries is required a whole range of activities:

  • Limit the amount of carbohydrates consumed, especially candy and chocolate, sugary carbonated drinks.
  • Include in your diet solid foods, solid vegetables and fruits.
  • Brush your teeth and rinse your mouth after eating. Chlorhexidine-based solutions are suitable for daily rinsing.
  • Follow the rules of the technique of cleansing tooth enamel.
  • Use xylitol chewing gum after meals.
  • Pass annually routine inspection.
  • To monitor the state of immunity and in time to treat the diseases that have appeared.

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