What is conservative dentistry? What is tooth decay and how to deal with it? What is filling? When should you see a dentist?
What is conservative dentistry?
Conservative dentistry and periodontics are divisions of dentistry that deal with both the prevention of dental diseases and the treatment of cavities.
The scope of prevention includes activities such as:
- regular checkups of the condition of the mouth and teeth
- instruction on proper oral hygiene
- hygienization procedures: scaling, sandblasting, fluoridation, fissure sealing
- prevention of hypersensitivity and periodontal diseases
As we mentioned earlier, conservative dentistry, apart from preventing dental diseases, also deals with the treatment of existing problems.
The therapeutic procedures include:
- treatment of cavities
- reconstruction of damaged teeth
- treatment of the resulting hypersensitivity
- aesthetic correction of the tooth shape
What is caries?
Caries is a dental disease caused by bacteria that produce an acidic pH that destroys enamel. The carious process goes through the following stages. First, the acid formed causes white stains on the enamel, which is a symptom of enamel demineralization. In the next stage, the enamel is irreversibly damaged. Enamel loss is a gateway to dentin infection, a tissue that is softer and more susceptible to bacteria than enamel. Spreading caries takes up more and more of the tooth, eventually reaching the dental pulp as well. At this stage, the only way to preserve the tooth is endodontic treatment.
Why is caries formed?
Caries has a bacterial etiology, which is why it is so important to prevent colonization and the development of cariogenic bacteria in the oral cavity. You should be aware that sharing meals that you have already started, licking babies’ teats, and kissing can all contribute to the transmission of bacteria. In addition, our diet is not without significance. The sugar available in meals promotes the growth of bacteria and is converted into acids that destroy the enamel. Proper oral hygiene is also very important in the context of the development of caries. Poor hygiene, including inadequate brushing technique, has a large impact on the development of plaque, which, if not removed early enough, turns into tartar. Both plaque and tartar create ideal conditions for bacteria, promoting the formation of caries.
How to fight tooth decay?
Prevention is the most important thing in the fight against caries. Adequate oral hygiene is key to caries prevention. It is important not only to clean your teeth and mouth properly and regularly, but also when tartar appears, go to the dentist’s office for professional hygiene treatment. Additionally, in order to avoid tooth decay, you should eliminate or at least reduce the amount of sugar in your diet. We should also take care not to pass on cariogenic bacteria. This is important for young children who, after birth, do not have cariogenic bacteria in their mouth, and contact with the saliva of adults may cause colonization with unwanted bacteria.
If, despite our efforts, caries has developed, we should immediately visit a dentist. Treatment depends on the stage of caries development.
In the case of demineralization changes, observation, frequent checks and the use of fluoride preparations may be sufficient.
In more advanced cases, it is necessary to prepare a carious cavity by mechanically removing the tooth tissues affected by caries (so-called drilling). You should not be afraid of discomfort, because the treatment is performed under local anesthesia. After careful preparation of the lesion, we make a composite filling to rebuild the lost tooth tissue.
In some cases, when the disease process is advanced and the carious lesions cover the pulp, endodontic treatment is necessary (more information in the article: “Endodontics or colloquially root canal treatment”). Unfortunately, it happens that the damage to the tooth is so advanced that it is necessary to remove it.
What is filling?
Filling iis made of a composite in order to rebuild the lost tooth tissue, both through the carious process and after an injury. Using the composite, we can also model the shape of our teeth. Unfortunately, not in all cases such a reconstruction is sufficient and often a prosthetic reconstruction (crowns, veneers) is necessary to protect and strengthen the teeth.
In order to make a perfect filling, it is necessary to have the appropriate knowledge and experience of a doctor, who must allocate the right amount of time and high-quality materials to make a highly aesthetic filling. A high precision is also necessary, which can be achieved by the use of a microscope. At the Smile and Care Medical Center, we make sure that each filling is a small work of art.
When should you see a dentist?
t is very important to remember about regular visits to the dentist, even if we do not experience disturbing symptoms. Appropriately frequent checks will allow us to avoid the development of caries or to diagnose it at a very early stage. Additionally, during check-up visits, you can consult your doubts and receive instructions on proper oral hygiene. Professional hygienisation is also important when tartar begins to form. All disturbing symptoms should lead us to an earlier visit to the dentist, such as: stains on the teeth or changes in their color, toothache with or without food, hypersensitivity, pain or bleeding of the gums. If you experience any of the above symptoms, don’t wait and make an appointment as soon as possible.
