CAVITIES (Dental caries)

A cavity is an area of decay in a tooth, resulting from the interaction between oral bacteria and sugar and other carbohydrates in the mouth. In the course of metabolising the sugars (and straches transformed into sugar by saliva), the bacteria create an acid that becomes part of a sticky substance known as dental plaque.
Plaque clings to the tooth and begins to erode the enamel, producing holes, or cavities. Tooth enamel is the strongest material in the body, but it does not renew itself. As bacteria and the acids they form further penetrate the damaged tooth surface, a cavity enlarges to the point where it invades the dentin (the bony material inside a tooth)

DIAGNOSTIC STUDIES AND PROCEDURES:
During a routine checkup, a dentist examines each tooth with an angled mirror and mental probe to make sure that surfaces are intact. Where doubt exists, an X-Ray may be taken. In addition, a complete set of dental X-Rays is routinely taken every three or four years to detect any hidden problems.

MEDICAL TREATMENT:
If the work is expected to be extensive and painfull, the dentist gives the patient the option of having an anesthesia such as Novocain injected into the gum. To prepare a tooth of filling, the dentist cleans out the cavity with a high-speed water cooled drill, sterilizes the interior, abd dries it.
A filling that matches a tooth is then chosen from a wide range of long lasting compunds. Unless these are unexpected complications, a simple cavity can be filled in one visit.
If the cavity has extended to the dentin, the area may be injected with a calcium phosphate solution to stimulate new dentin growth. A temporary filling will be placed in the cavity, then later removed and replaced with a permanant filling.
When the cavity has reached into the pulp of the tooth, the person may be reffered to a specialist, and endodontist, for root canal work. This procedure kills the nerve, eliminating pain and usually saving the tooth which can then be cleaned out and filled as usual.
If only the base of the tooth remains after extensive decay or root canal work, the dentist fills the socket of the tooth with cement and covers it with a crown. This usually takes three or four sessions because it involves laboratory work and precision fitting.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES:
Herbal Medicines:
The compounds in green tea are reported to kill the bacteria responsible for causing tooth decay. The same compounds occur in sage, coriander and thyme.
A traditional temporary remedy for a toothache has been oil of cloves, but this is not recommended today because it can damage delicate gum tissue.

Nutrition Therapy:
A diet that provides adequate calcium and other minerals is essential to building strong teeth. For this purpose, babies and young children may also be given fluoride drops with their food, especially if the local water doesn't contain added fluoride. Reducing sugar intake, especially sticky sweets that adhere to the teeth, helps to prevent cavities.

Relaxation Techniques:
Hypnosis, biofeedback, and similar techniques can help people to overcome a fear of dentists. Hypnosis is also used as an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate Novocain and other anesthetics.