Tag Archives: Pathogenic Bacteria
What is tooth decay (Cavities in teeth)
First thing that comes in mind while thinking about dental care (oral care) is tooth decay or say cavities in teeth.
Do you know, tooth decay is the second most prevalent disease in united states after common cold.
So what actually tooth decay is?
Tooth decay is the process of destruction and demineralization of tooth by acids produced by bacteria which are present in food debris or tartar accumulated on tooth surface.
In scientific language cavities in teeth are known as ‘Dental Caries’.
Before going to process of tooth decay we need to know about tooth anatomy. Tooth can be divided into two parts, the upper white portion which we is visible in mouth is ‘Crown’ portion of tooth and the portion which is covered by gums (gingiva) and present in alveolar bone (bone supporting tooth) is known as ‘Root’.
Crown is composed of tooth enamel, dentin and pulp.
Enamel is the outermost covering which is the hardest substance in our body. It gives whiteness and translucency to our teeth and also protect tooth from constant wear and tear of teeth while chewing, brushing etc.
Tooth Pulp is innermost structure in tooth which is made up of blood vessels and nerves which provide nutrition and senses to our tooth, whereas dentin is present in between enamel and pulp.
Dental Caries (tooth decay) is bacterial process. Not all bacteria present in oral flora are pathogenic . There are specific bacteria which cause tooth decay. Pathogenic Bacteria present in food debris, plaque accumulated on tooth surface uses sugars from foods and drinks along with saliva to thrive and multiply. They also require nutrition present in tooth pulp and start destruction of organic matter and demineralisation of inorganic matter (calcium, phosphate etc) present in enamel and dentin of tooth with the help of acids produced by them. With this process of slow and continual destruction of tooth structure bacteria slowly advance towards pulp. This process of destruction of tooth by bacteria forms cavity in tooth, we call it as tooth decay.
Clinically tooth decay can be observed as black spot or cavity in tooth. The process of decay start with opaque patch or black pin-point spot on tooth surface and if ignored and treatment not taken, it may end up with gross decay of tooth structure. Tooth pulp contains nerves for sensory functions so when tooth decay involves pulp one may experience very severe pain. Tooth decay may be associated with abscess and swelling of area involved which might be due to pulpal infection and collection of pus.
In this way process of decay start and proceed. There are some methods and good habits following which we can prevent tooth decay. In next article we will see ‘ How to prevent tooth decay ‘.
