DEFINITION:

A cavity is a lesion caused by the alteration of the tooth’s enamel and dentin, leading to the formation of a hole. It is mostly caused by foods, though it can also be due to heredity or hygiene. Common areas where cavities can occur are between two adjacent teeth, around the gum line, or around the edges of an old filling.

Advanced cases of cavity are formed by the decay growing overtime and ending up reaching the pulp. It may destroy the tooth and become an infection of the underlying bone, causing an abscess.

SYMPTOMS:

•Symptoms vary according to the progress of the cavity.

•At earlier stages of the cavity (not affecting the enamel), the pain is minimal, or absent.

•As the cavity increases in size, approaching the pulp, where the nerve is located, the teeth become sensitive to cold and hot. Therefore, as the decay gets deeper in the tooth, the pain rends to become intolerable.

TREATMENTS:

•Early stages of cavity can be detected by X-rays.

•Cavities need to be treated very early. Small cavities are simply treated with fillings. The process involves cleaning the cavity with a bur, followed by filling the tooth with a restorative product, such as a composite (white filling).

•In advanced cases, a root canal and a crown may be needed.

•In cases where a portion of the root has been destroyed by the decay, dental extraction may be necessary.

PREVENTION:

•Dental plaque will be eliminated by regular meticulous brushing of the teeth. However, applying too much pressure on the enamel may wear it away.

•Flossing completes the brushing.

•It is recommended to maintain a well balanced diet low in sugars. Avoid sugars especially before going to bed or between meals.

•Regular dental exams by the dentist, twice a year, are recommended.

SOURCES:     Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (www.wikipedia.org).

                            WebMD, better information, better health (www.webmd.com).