Tooth Decay (Dental Caries)

Tooth decay is the commonly known term for dental caries, an infectious, transmissible, disease caused by bacteria.

The damage done to teeth by this disease is commonly known as cavities.

Tooth decay can cause pain and lead to infections in surrounding tissues and tooth loss if not treated properly.

Throughout childhood and adolescence, there are many opportunities for primary prevention of tooth decay. Caries in the permanent teeth increase with age, and is higher in adolescents than young children. By the time adolescents finish high school, approximately 80% have experienced tooth decay.

Effective personal preventive measures (eg. toothbrushing with fluoride toothpastes, flossing) should be started as soon as teeth erupt and be supervised by a parent until children are old enough to do well on their own — typically around age 6 or 7. Tailored dental visits provide an opportunity to assess dietary and oral hygiene practices and to place sealants on vulnerable permanent teeth that erupt between the ages of 5 and 13.

Why is is important to fill decayed teeth, even baby teeth?

For children, untreated decay can result in chronic pain and early tooth loss. These sequelae can lead to failure to thrive, inability to concentrate at or absence from school, reduced self-esteem, and psychosocial problems. Primary teeth should be retained until their permanent successor teeth emerge. Permanent teeth should be retained for life, if properly cared for.

Decayed teeth should be repaired promptly so that fillings may be kept small and as much natural tooth structure as possible conserved. Typically, fillings have to be replaced several times during life; each time, additional tooth structure has to be removed, weakening the tooth. Of course, preventing the initial cavity is preferable to restoring the tooth after disease has occurred. Prevention is best accomplished with fluoride and dental sealants.