What causes caries? Products and bacteria that cause caries

Caries is a process in which the integrity of the tooth wall is disturbed. First, the mineral substances are dissolved, and then the tooth is completely destroyed. Many people are interested in what causes caries, why the process is occurring. Knowing these reasons, you can protect your mouth, keep your teeth healthy for a longer time.

What causes caries?

In the history of dentistry, a lot of theories have been studied and identified, which, one way or another, treated the formation of caries. In total, there are about four hundred theories, not all of them were certainly taken seriously by researchers. So what causes tooth decay? The main reasons are:

• Microflora;
• Carbohydrates;
• Reduced stability;
• time.

The most interesting theory is Miller. It can be attributed to the most modern concept, which is complemented by other theories. What is its essence? When interacting in the oral cavity of microorganisms and carbohydrates, caries develop. Under the influence of food fermentation, organic acids are formed, and they give rise to the formation of caries.

The more in the oral cavity of acids, the stronger the destruction of enamel. The tooth loses calcium, and caries occur. Miller identified two additional reasons for the development of caries. Interestingly, he always confirmed his assumptions in practice. In his theory there are many inconsistencies, but the basic concept is correct. The basis of the modern theory is the change in the pH medium in the oral cavity, not only on the parts of the teeth, but also under the coating accumulated on the surface of the enamel.

Process causative agents

Bacteria that cause caries are pathogens. Depending on what kind of bacteria is the cause, the rate of development of the process will depend. There are many species of bacteria, each of them can become a causative agent, they all have a lot of differences in the rate of acid production, by the method of plaque formation. The most common pathogens include:

• Actinomycetes;
• Streptococci

Oral Care

It is now clear what causes the presence of bacteria in the oral cavity. To avoid the development of caries, it is necessary not to allow bacteria to multiply in the mouth. It is necessary to remove particles of food in time, which serves as their feeding. Twice a day, you just need to brush your teeth. The toothbrush allows you to remove both the bacteria themselves, and the environment in which it is convenient for them to multiply. The protection of teeth from caries will be reliable, if you follow the rules.

The main rules for oral care are the following:

• It is advisable to clean teeth after each meal.
• If there is no possibility of using a toothbrush, it is necessary, at least, to rinse the mouth. The most dangerous are 20 minutes after a meal.
• Try to keep a floss that allows you to remove the remaining food particles. Timely removal does not allow bacteria to multiply.
• Use mouth rinses that help to kill bacteria.
• Chewing gum will also help. But remember, you can chew it only after eating, for 15-20 minutes.
• Neither the brush nor the dental floss will give you a 100% guarantee of cleaning your teeth, therefore it is recommended to perform professional cleaning at the dentist from time to time.

The development of caries can not be stopped independently. And if the process has already gone, only the dentist can help. Treatment is necessary to protect all the teeth that bacteria can migrate to.

The brush will help to remove only a soft coating. With time, tartar begins to form, beneath it, it is impossible to remove the bacteria that remain there and multiply.

Products as a factor in the development of caries

In the oral cavity live and reproduce cariogenic bacteria (Streptococcus sanguis, Streptococcus mutans). They feed on carbohydrate residues of food, which they process, while forming an organic acid. This process is called fermentation or fermentation. Organic acid is in contact with the enamel, while dissolving the mineral components. So, from what does caries appear?

Gradually, the enamel becomes thinner and a cavity is formed in the tooth.

Excessive consumption of sugar, sweet food, rich in carbohydrates, sooner or later leads to the formation of caries. This is a confirmed axiom. WHO experts have proved that in countries where the population consumes less sugar, tooth decay is less common.

Carbohydrates such as lactose, fructose, glucose also have a cariogenic potential. But to a lesser extent.

Diet

Professional removal of caries can only be done by a dentist. He also recommends a diet that can protect against caries.

In full nutrition should be included five main components: fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. To keep your teeth healthy, your body simply needs fluoride, calcium, and vitamin D.

Fluorine. Per day, the optimal dosage for our body is 2-3 mg. A significant part comes with drinking water. At modern treatment facilities, fluorination of water is carried out specially. Along with phosphorus and calcium, fluorine is involved in the formation of tooth enamel and bone tissue itself. However, an overdose of fluoride is also dangerous, as is its lack. There may be fluorosis, in which "speckled enamel" develops.

Calcium. This is the main builder of bones. The norm for an adult is 800-900 mg. But it is worth noting that this element is fully absorbed, only if the body has enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D. It is produced in the body thanks to the sun's rays. In regions where the sun is low, it is recommended to use vitamin D additionally. Its norm for a person is 5 mcg.

Useful products for caries prevention

So that you do not have to remove caries, follow the rules for oral care and use the right products that are useful for the teeth. These include:

• Solid food that helps clean the surface of the teeth from plaque, which sticks to the enamel. These are carrots, cabbage, apples.
• Berries of purple, red, blue flowers contain bioflavonoids. These vitamin-like substances serve as a barrier to the formation of a bacterial film on the teeth.
• Whole-grain products, bran, cereals. Stimulate the formation of saliva, contain antioxidants (polyphenols), which protect against destruction of enamel.
• A storehouse of vitamins, minerals and proteins - beans and nuts.
• Algae, sea fish, seafood are rich in vitamin D, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, calcium.
• Garlic is a powerful natural antiseptic. In the oral cavity neutralizes cariogenic bacteria.
• Dairy. Very useful yogurt, which is rich in phosphopeptides. They accelerate the absorption of calcium, strengthen and restore the enamel of the tooth.
• Natural cheeses are rich in fatty acids and calcium. Whey protein, contained in cheese, provides for the remineralization of enamel.

Products that cause caries

Below are listed products that contribute to the emergence of caries on the teeth:

• Various sweets - jam, chocolate with additives, cookies, cakes.
• Salt in large quantities does not fully absorb the minerals and vitamins.
• The process of fermentation, and further putrefaction, is facilitated by sticky food, which remains on the teeth.
• Sweet drinks - sodas, lemonades - not only contain a lot of sugar, they simply eat away tooth enamel. Drink such drinks are recommended only through the tube.
• The composition of water also plays a significant role. High content of nickel, copper, chlorine is dangerous for the body, in particular for teeth.

The main recommendations for lovers of sweet

Often, caries in young children, and often in adults, arises from a great love for sweet. Of course, to exclude sweets is completely impossible. Listen at least to useful advice:

• Reduce the length of time the sweetness is in the mouth (lollipop, chupa-chups). After ingestion, rinse the oral cavity.
• Do not eat sweets for the night.
• Do not get carried away by sweets in between the main meals.
• Try to replace sweet desserts with berries, fruits.

In the prevention of caries in children, healthy eating is the main component. If you notice a hole, you need to go to the dentist, no advice will help.

Effects of caries

The main danger of caries is that it arises and proceeds in the initial stages, it is imperceptible, painless. If pain occurs, it is often too late. The tooth is so destroyed that it is necessary to remove it. Dental caries is so cunning. Treatment should be started when there are no pain symptoms. Otherwise, pulpitis, inflammation in the soft tissues, periodontitis can develop.

Ordinary caries causes diseases of internal organs, joints, heart often suffers. The most unpleasant prospect is a tooth loss. Caries often causes allergic reactions. Sore teeth serve to refuse solid food, as a consequence - a sick stomach.

Detection of caries in the early stages

How correctly to treat tooth decay? With regular treatment to the dentist, caries treatment will not seem difficult, the price will also be significantly lower, in comparison with more detailed intervention. Turning in time at an early stage, you can avoid extensive development. So the prices in dental clinics in Moscow are very diverse. They depend on the professionalism of the dentist and the materials used. Treatment of medium caries will cost from 970 to 14 thousand rubles, deep - from 1150 to 16 thousand rubles. The price of the seals also depends on the materials: from the composites of chemical curing is cheaper - from 300 to 4 thousand rubles, the most expensive seal (light polymerization) - from 600 to 12 thousand rubles.

Without the help of a dentist, caries are difficult to detect. You will feel it yourself when the toothache is already developing. The earlier the problem is detected, the easier it will be to treat it. For the patient this is a big plus. Black sooner or later always gets to soft tissues, then you have to open the tooth and treat the nerve. It is better not to test fate and visit the dentist twice a year. It will only be beneficial to your health.

Stages of caries

Causes of the disease can be different, as, indeed, and its stages. Not always for caries is topical filling. At the initial stage, call it a "white spot stage", a mineral deficiency is formed in some areas of the tooth enamel. In such cases, it must be strengthened. The doctor prescribes remineralization. During this procedure, the enamel is artificially saturated with microelements. Such treatment of caries (the price will be much less) after a few procedures will restore the shade of enamel, caries will cease to develop further.

Traditional sealing is used at the surface or medium stage. The procedure takes about half an hour, does not cause any discomfort and pain. The treatment of deep caries takes not only more time, but also means. The procedure can take several sessions.

Correct treatment of caries

Unlike some other diseases that can be treated at home, from the caries only the dentist will help to get rid. If on examination the doctor has revealed an average or deep stage, he will appoint an x-ray that will show how far the tissue damage has gone, check the integrity of the roots.

Treatment of deep caries can take place with the removal of the nerve. This is done in cases where the patient experiences pain, reacts to hot, cold stimuli. After removal of the nerve, the doctor begins to treat caries. The drill allows you to remove the affected areas. The cavity of the tooth is disinfected with a medicine, after some manipulations the doctor proceeds to sealing.

Usually the treatment goes in two ways, it is established either a permanent or a temporary filling. A permanent seal is immediately put in the event that the nerve is not removed (problem-free teeth). If there is a risk of inflammation, then for a few days put a temporary seal, which is then replaced by a permanent one. If these days there were painful feelings, then the doctor begins treatment again.

To avoid deep problems, contact in time to the dentist, undergo preventive examinations twice a year, take care properly for your teeth, and your smile will shine for many years.