Carious cavities, also referred to as hole formation or cavity formation in teeth, develop by certain bacterial as well as acidic activities in the mouth. Carious cavities are basically caused when acid produced by certain harmful bacteria in our mouth causes erosion of the enamel of teeth causing it to become extremely thin, weak, sapless and extremely painful.
It is basically the progressive destruction of a human tooth. According to thorough research being conducted upon carious cavities, it was found that the permanent first molar (PFM) is most likely to develop carious cavities due to its simple structure that is ‘morphology’ basically and its simple and early erupting process in the human oral cavity.
Having carious cavities in the PFM can often lead to a lot of problems, most specifically in chewing hard food. There are a lot of ways through which carious cavities can be prevented (most specifically by proper mouth hygiene).
An important point to be noted:
The bacteria that cause carious cavities are extremely carcinogenic and can often lead to chronic form of mouth ulcers. If that remains untreated, it can definitely take the form of a horrible mouth/oral cancer known as Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OCSCC).
What are 3 types of cavities?
There are three types of oral cavities that are stated as under :
- Smooth Surface Cavities:
These are the cavities which are formed on the flat and smooth surface of the teeth including front, left, right and sides of our teeth. It is not a very severe form of cavity and appears to have a small white spot which is known as ‘Initial Caries Lesion’. It is a moderate form of carious cavities.
In the beginning, the cavity might be reversible if fluoride intake is controlled but if left untreated it may gradually take the form of moderate lesion and ultimately to advanced caries lesion leaving the dentine exposed and causing severe damage to the teeth in the form of holes which is extremely painful.
- Root Cavities:
Root cavities are formed on the surface where the teeth meet the gum in which they are embedded. Root cavities attack the root of a tooth which is obviously the hidden part leading to bleeding and swelling of gums.
Root cavities just like periodontal gum disease and tooth decay are the leading cause of tooth loss. It is a less severe form of carious cavities.
However, if due to improper brushing, somehow the bacteria reaches the root of the teeth where it may start attacking because unlike the crown which is protected by enamel, the roots of teeth are only protected by a thin layer called ‘cementum’ which offers less protection. As a result, the nerves are severely damaged causing extreme discomfort. In this way, the tooth decay will be sped up and the tooth will be either chipped or lost.
Studies and research shows that the elderly are always at the brink of developing root cavities because after becoming old you may have receding gums and consequently exposed teeth roots.
- Pit and fissure cavities :
It is a type of cavity that generally develops in the grooves of premolar and molars specifically. Even after maintaining good and proper oral hygiene, it is utterly impossible to clean hard to reach areas of teeth. It is the worst form of carious cavities.
The accumulation of cell debris and rotten food material provides a great medium for bacteria to flourish ultimately leading to pit and fissure cavities. Softening of dental tissues is yet another cause which leads to this type of cavity. It can also be caused by a number of other factors as well:
- It might be genetic in nature.
- Due to deficiency of certain nutrients (Malnutrition).
- Consumption of sugary stuff.
- Some sort of chronic disease which disturbs the pH of saliva.
What are the signs of carious cavities?
Carious cavities can often lead to a number of problems and the signs include the following:
- Toothache: It is the sudden or gradual sensation of pain in a specific tooth occurs due to carious cavities. The affected tooth might temporarily be treated with certain antibiotics or ointments but if the condition worsens, the tooth needs to be removed as well.
- Sensitivity: It is yet another thing that can be caused by carious cavities. Extreme sensitivity of teeth can often lead to severe pain and loss of teeth.
- Pus: Pus can also be formed in teeth if carious cavities are left untreated. The bacteria try their best to penetrate the root of teeth and the softening of dental tissues make it easy for them to do so resulting in pus to be formed at the base of gums which is very nasty and smelly too.
What is the difference between caries and cavities?
Well, the answer to this question is quite confusing. Often, in dentistry, caries and cavities are referred to as the same things but there are some fundamental differences which separate these from each other. Tooth decay is basically called ‘Dental Caries’ and dental caries or tooth decay if left untreated converts into cavities.
How do you treat a carious cavity?
You can treat carious cavity by maintaining proper oral hygiene, by brushing teeth properly (either twice or thrice a day), by avoiding too much sugary stuff that provides a medium for bacteria to grow and acidic food that disturbs the pH of saliva.
If you’re worried about carious cavity or looking for treatment options, Ivanov Orthodontics can help. Our team is experienced and extremely professional in treating vast types of carious cavities, providing best care and treatment according to your requirements. Visit us at ivanovortho.com to learn more about our treatment options and to schedule an appointment. Let us help you restore and maintain your healthy, beautiful and everlasting smile.
