The Tribune

By Dr Tamika Ferguson

One of the most common health problems children, teens and adults suffer from is cavities (dental caries). A cavity develops when your tooth begins to decay.

Initially, the cavity is small in size but over time it can grow deeper and larger.

There are many factors that contribute to the development of cavities but once detected, your dentist will be able to treat the disease and your tooth will be healthy once more.

Cavities (dental caries) are caused by acid erosion of the tooth enamel. Many types of bacteria live in the mouth and along with food particles and other natural substances form a biofilm called plaque. The bacteria in this sticky film convert sugar and carbohydrates in the foods we eat into acids. The acid dissolves minerals in the surface of the tooth, forming cavities.

Whenever you visit your dentist, proper oral hygiene is normally stressed. If you do not use the correct brushing technique and floss at least once a day you are not removing plaque from your teeth. Failing to remove this plaque leaves your teeth susceptible to cavity formation.

If you are a regular dental attender, you know your dentist has various methods to detect cavities. The first would be simply observation or clinical examination. If your tooth is discoloured this may indicate decay, your dentist will take his/her explorer and probe for possible decay. If the enamel is healthy, it will resist the light pressure from the explorer, if decay is present the explorer will stick slightly.

Another method for cavity detection is radiographs. A radiograph will show decay in areas where it is difficult for your dentist to see, the interproximal areas of the teeth. It will also show how deep the cavity has developed. Some other methods for cavity detection which are not as popular are cavity-detecting dye and laser fluorescence.

Your dentist will advise you on proper treatment for the tooth depending on the depth of the cavity. You may require a filling or a root canal. In most cases, if you visit the dentist regularly a filling should be the required treatment. Once your dentist gives you your treatment options, you should not take long to act because caries can reach painful levels within months.

A filling is a procedure to remove decay and restore your tooth to its normal function and shape. When your dentist gives you a filling, often times a local anaesthetic is used to numb the tooth, then a drill will be used to remove the decay.

Once the decay is removed, the dentist may place a liner or base to protect the nerves of the tooth (if the cavity is large). Then your dentist will place their preferred type of restorative material.

After a filling you should be able to eat and function normally. For others, there may be some sensitivity felt, this sensitivity should decrease over one to two weeks. If you still experience sensitivity after this time you should contact your dentist for further evaluation of the tooth.

Dental caries (cavities) are one of the most common diseases, the best preventative advice would be to maintain a proper oral hygiene routine and keep up to date with your dental visits.

Further, if you do have cavities, have them restored before the tooth becomes painful or the tooth can no longer be saved. So, see your dentist today.