Why don't Cavities Need to be Removed?
Cavities or what is commonly called caries is a chronic disease caused by cariogenic bacteria that attach to teeth and cause tooth decay white spot This results in a process of loss of tooth minerals in the enamel. Enamel itself is the outermost layer of teeth. When this process occurs continuously it will become a large hole and will become black in color.
Factors that can cause a tooth to develop a large hole or what is called a cavity are:
1. Time
2. Host
3. Bacteria
4. Food
Several options for treating cavities:
1. Holes in the enamel or dentin only, but there are no spontaneous complaints, can be filled directly.
2. If the pulp has been affected or has reached the pulp or nerves, the treatment is more complex, namely if there is spontaneous pain and persistent pain, root canal treatment is carried out.
Usually when someone complains of toothache, they will ask to have the tooth extracted. However, cavities and diseased teeth do not always have to be removed. When a dentist decides whether a tooth with a cavity should be removed or not, it will certainly carry out an examination to see whether the structure of the tooth with a cavity is still good and strong enough. When a dentist sees that this tooth still has a good prognosis, tooth extraction will be the last option.
Examinations carried out by dentists include:
1. Intraoral examination
2. Extraoral examination
3. Supporting examination, namely x-rays
Indirect tooth loss means a person loses a limb. When someone loses even one tooth, the function in our mouth will automatically be disrupted. Even if you have lost teeth, you can have dentures installed, but the feeling will still be different if you still have natural teeth.
Preventing teeth from getting cavities easily includes:
1. Brush your teeth 2x a day, in the morning and evening, because production occurs at night saliva or more saliva and the risk of bacteria sticking which can cause cavities.
2. Check with the dentist at least once every 6 months, especially in children, prevention can be done, namely by applying topical flouride to coat teeth so they don't get cavities easily.
When we have had dental treatment, don't forget to keep checking every 6 months so that the teeth that have been treated are maintained and durable for a long period of time.
Reference:
- Evaluation of Cariogenic Bacteria
https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.translate.goog/pmc/articles/PMC2612953
- Factors in the Dental Caries Process
https://www.dentalcare.com/en-us/ce-courses/ce583/factors-in-the-dental-caries-process
- Recommendations on Topical Fluoride Usage for Caries Management in East Asia
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0020653924001205