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Minimally Invasive dentistry is what we believe in
Dr.Sathya's Dental Care.
Special care is taken to avoid cutting of healthy tooth structure and
white fillings are done with the help of chemical bonding with blue
Halogen light. The materials used for these fillings are composites and
Glass ionomers from leading brands like 3M , Kulzer, GC Fuji and
Dentsply.
What is Tooth Decay?
Tooth Decay describes the conditions wherein the tooth, under a variety
of harsh conditions, breaks down leading to the formation of a cavity.
It starts with a hole/opening in the enamel. If this is not treated, it
progressively reaches the deeper sections of the tooth, where the pulp
and the nerves are causing the tooth to become sensitive to a variety of
stimuli, a variety of gum problems such as inflammation and swelling,
pain, and ultimately tooth loss.
Is it very common?
Tooth decay is a common dental ailment that may occur at any time of
age. However, since the onset of tooth decay is strongly related to the
unregulated consumption of sweet foods and beverages, it tends to affect
the young and adolescents more than any other age. One form is diagnosed
in nursing infants and is referred to as nursing caries.
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What are the causes of Tooth Decay? |
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POOR ORAL
HYGIENE: Irregular and improper brushing, not flossing
between teeth, not rinsing with water or mouthwash after meals
speed up the process of tooth decay.
UNREGULATED DIET OF SWEET FOOD AND DRINKS:
Periodic snacking on aerated drinks, jam, marmalade, even potato
chips can lead to the formation of acidic by products which
damage the surface of the tooth enamel. This is the reason why
most young children adolescents suffer from tooth decay.
BAD OR WORN OUT DENTAL FILLINGS: Tooth decay might
develop again from exposed tooth surfaces. |
What can I do if I
have Tooth Decay?
If you have developed black or brown spots of decay on your teeth
either in the fissures or on the smooth surfaces and it is associated
with discomfort and/or sensitivity to hot and cold and/or frank pain, it
is likely that you have tooth decay. Your dentist will evaluate you
comprehensively and based on his clinical and radiographic findings he
will do one of the following
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Make an opening
in the crown and remove decay, shape the cavity and fill it with
a tooth coloured filling or an amalgam filling. This could also
be done under local anaesthesia.
If the decay is very deep and pulp (nerve, root canal) is
involved in the decay process he will, under local anaesthesia
go deeper into the pulp chamber, remove the pulp and the nerve,
render it free of infection, do a root filling and later put an
amalgam or a tooth coloured filling. Subsequently he will put a
veneer or a crown on the tooth as the case may be. |
Prevention is the
best cure for Tooth Decay.
Certain preventive measures are known to reduce the risk of tooth decay.
You must practice these good dental habits.
BRUSHING
Brush your teeth twice a day. Hold a soft brush at the gum line at a 45°
angle. Brush in a circular motion to massage the gums and an up-down
motion to dislodge plague. Do this gently on the outer as well as inner
surfaces of teeth.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT TOOTHBRUSH
Dentists recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small
head. Replace your toothbrush every 3 months or as soon as it loses it's
original shape. Once a brush loses its shape, you require more pressure
for the same cleaning action. This extra pressure is damaging to gums as
well as the protective enamel layer.
FLOSS
Floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth. Take about 18" of floss
and wrap most of it around your middle finger and the rest around the
middle finger of the other hand, leaving a 2" length between them. Using
your thumb and forefinger, gently scrape the side of each tooth away
from the gum.
RINSE
Rinse your mouth with water thoroughly after each meal. Rinse for a
minute everyday with mouthwash.
DIET
Reducing the frequency of in take of sweets during the day, decreases
the number of 'acid attack' by the digestive breakdown of these foods in
the mouth. This prevents further damage to the tooth.
Expectant mothers must be particularly careful with their diet and must
make sure that it contains all the necessary nutrients and vitamins
[described below] since the foundation of a child's teething is laid
early in the second trimester [3 to 6 months]
A balanced diet that includes all food groups such as fresh fruits,
vegetables, bread, cereals as well as other grain products, Dairy
products such as milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, poultry, fish provides the
essential nutrients required for dental growth.
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