Tooth decay and periodontitis

Bacteria thrive when leftover food is not thoroughly removed. Caries and periodontitis, the two most prevalent dental diseases, are brought on by them. All adults have tooth decay in about 90% of cases, and periodontitis in about 80%.

How does tooth decay develop?

People who do not take good care of their teeth create the best conditions for bacteria. Ultimately, it is not the bacteria themselves that become a problem, but their metabolic products. The dentin also suffers from “plaque,” or “solid plaque

The bacteria that grow in many patients’ mouths go unnoticed at first. Pain doesn’t start until the bacteria penetrate the tooth enamel, despite the fact that whitish or brown spots on the teeth indicate their activity.

What can the dentist do?

Those who visit the dentist on a regular basis can receive relatively harmless treatment if caries are detected. Nonetheless, if the bacteria have already spread extensively, the treatment is more complicated.

The doctor selects the appropriate treatment method based on the initial condition. In many instances, the affected tooth is restored using a drill. The hole is then filled with a filling. However, if the bacteria have reached the tooth’s root, root canal therapy is required.

The dentist removes the tooth’s nerve, marrow, and tissue before filling it with plastic or other materials. Consequently, the tooth dies but continues to serve its purpose. Therefore, dentures are unnecessary.

If the gums bleed

In addition to dental caries, bacteria can also cause periodontitis, also known as “periodontal disease.” Their aggressive metabolic products cause inflammation of the gums. Patients have no pain, but have slightly discolored or bleeding gums. If the patient does nothing, the inflammation will eventually reach the periodontium. In the worst-case scenario, the gums and bone tissue recede until the teeth fall out. However, it need not come to that.

Due to the absence of pain, periodontitis frequently goes undetected for an extended period of time. Typically, the dentist determines the presence of an infection during routine checkups. Then, he removes the bacteria from the pockets of the gums and the plaque from the teeth. Infrequently, surgery is required to remove diseased tissue or deeply embedded bacteria.

Patients cannot avoid dental care if bacteria have already colonized the mouth. They can only be avoided through comprehensive prophylaxis. Inasmuch as bacteria have a difficult time surviving, if you eliminate all traces of food by performing a thorough teeth cleaning, you make life difficult for them. Teeth that are kept clean remain healthy, sometimes even in old age.