About Lesson
Dental Caries
Plaque: This is a sticky layer of food particles on teeth containing bacteria.
Bacteria mixed with saliva break down the sugars in the plaque to form energy and organic acids. The acids corrode the enamel.
A painless un-noticed cavity develops which continues downwards to the dentine.
At this stage, the tooth is ticklish and sensitive to cold and hot drinks.
If the cavity is not filled it, the cavity descends further to the pulp cavity.
Bacteria may eventually invade the pulp tissues.
The nerves in the pulp cavity sense this infection and toothache begin.
Within a short time, the infection descends down through the root canal and forms an abscess (swelling) on the root full of pus.
Causes
- Eating too many sugary foods,
- Not eating relatively hard foods and
- Lack of calcium in the diet.
- Insufficient vitamin D.
- Poor cleaning of teeth.
Treatment and Control of Dental Carries
- Proper cleaning (brushing), especially after a meal.
- Filling in cavities that have developed.
- Removing plaque from the enamel.
- Root canal treatment.
- Visiting the dentist at least once a year.
- Avoiding too many sugary foods
- Eating a balanced diet rich in all types of nutrients e.g. Eggs, milk, banana,
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