Do you want to know in detail what dental caries is, how to treat it and the causes of its occurrence? This dental problem is physiological and aesthetic in nature. Damage and gradual destruction of tooth enamel can cause a person a lot of unpleasant experiences. To prevent the disease from progressing, it is necessary to treat it in a timely manner. Are you interested in the question of when to treat caries? Depending on the stage of the disease and the speed of its progression, you have a varying amount of time at your disposal. At any of its stages, it is best to seek medical help as quickly as possible in order to avoid much more serious consequences for your health.
How does caries develop?
Caries is a pathological process that destroys the hard tissues of the tooth. By its nature, it is sluggish and usually occurs under the influence of negative environmental factors or internal problems of the body. Bacteria in the oral cavity produce organic acid that corrodes the enamel, which leads to the development of pathology. The more bacteria, the more acid and, accordingly, the greater the damage.
In this article
- How does caries develop?
- Is it possible to remove caries at home?
- How to remove caries at home using folk remedies?
- What is effective against caries at home?
- The influence of dietary habits on caries
- Good immunity reduces the risk of developing caries
- How to brush your teeth and how to rinse your mouth to prevent caries
- Don't forget about professional hygiene
- Conclusion
Often the disease begins under the surface of the tooth, so in the absence of pronounced symptoms, it is not always possible to notice it at an early stage without the help of a doctor. Early caries looks like a white dot on the enamel surface. At the same time, most people imagine carise as a huge hole in the tooth. Therefore, often a person with early caries does not suspect that a pathological process has begun in his tooth.
A person can know that there is caries in a tooth when the carious cavity expands to the upper part of the tooth or when acute toothache signals this. The most correct and safe option for any dental problems is to contact a dental clinic as quickly as possible. But if for some reason this is not possible, people are looking for a way to cure tooth decay on their own.
Special pastes and gels
Special products inhibit the development of caries, restore damaged enamel, and disinfect the surface of teeth.
El-ce med total care
The paste is intended for comprehensive care. The composition includes allantoin, zinc, vitamins C and E. Beneficial substances envelop the tooth and provide long-term protection against caries. The cost ranges from 105–130 rubles.
Fluorodent
An inexpensive paste (40 rubles) that can effectively whiten teeth and also provide proper oral care. Eliminates bleeding gums and also reduces the manifestations of inflammatory processes.
Splat Biocalcium
The components of Splat Biocalcium toothpaste are almost the same as in the previous one. In addition to papain, polydon has also been added, which acts on plaque accumulation and helps remove it. The price is slightly less - about 120–130 rubles per package.
Pepsodent Green Tea
Thanks to abrasive particles, it effectively removes plaque. Contains fluoride and green tea extract. The cost of toothpaste is from 250 rubles.
Colgate Elmex
Contains a large amount of amino fluoride, an antiseptic, so it is better to use it in courses. The paste increases the strength of enamel and reduces tooth sensitivity. You can buy the product for 248 rubles.
Silca Herbal Complete
Contains many plant extracts that effectively strengthen gums and prevent the appearance of periodontal disease. The combination of fluoride and sodium urea can reliably protect teeth from caries.
The price for it is about 170 rubles per package.
Aquafresh Extreme Clean Citrus Mint
The paste has a pronounced antibacterial effect and also effectively fights the development of caries . The main active ingredient is sorbitol.
The cost is about 150 rubles per tube.
Apadent
This particular remedy deserves special attention, as it is very effective. Successfully restores damaged small areas of enamel
, as it contains a special substance - nanohydroxyapatite.
Its structure is very similar to real bone tissue. The particle size is very small, which allows them to successfully penetrate into the most inaccessible places and fill all kinds of defects that appear on the surface.
To treat with such pastes, simply carry out two thorough brushings of your teeth every day. The course of treatment can be about one month and vary depending on the chosen remedy
.
Sometimes in home practice they use paste applications that last from 10 minutes to half an hour. They should be done daily.
Blend-A-Med Complete
Suitable for daily use in the presence of caries and various gum problems. In addition, it eliminates dark and bacterial plaque . The cost is about 150 rubles per package.
Lakalut Fluor
The therapeutic and prophylactic agent is intended to cleanse dense plaque. The composition contains chlorhexidine, which destroys harmful microflora. Aluminum lactate is characterized by an astringent effect, reduces the sensitivity of enamel to cold and hot. Aminofluoride and sodium fluoride heal microcracks. The cost of the paste is 260 rubles.
President of Unique
President Unique toothpaste contains three calcium compounds that are easily absorbed. This allows you to restore enamel quite effectively
. In addition, the substance papain, which is also included in the composition, helps dissolve the protein components of plaque, thereby greatly facilitating its removal. The cost fluctuates around 180–200 rubles.
President Classic
The product is suitable for caring for healthy teeth. Thanks to silicon dioxide, it perfectly polishes enamel and removes dirt. Plant extracts stop bleeding gums, calcium strengthens bone tissue. The pasta costs 275 rubles.
Is it possible to remove caries at home?
This question may arise in the following cases:
- a person is afraid of dentists and is willing to risk his dental health rather than go to the doctor;
- there is no opportunity to visit a doctor for objective reasons (for example, on a long trip or when there is no good clinic nearby);
- a small child resists dental treatment in the dentist's office;
- no money for dental treatment.
In most cases, it is impossible to get rid of caries at home.
But there are medicinal methods that help strengthen the enamel and stop the pathological process at an early stage, when caries looks like a white speck on the enamel. To do this, use gels that restore enamel and means for its remineralization.
You can use these anti-caries remedies at home, but a dentist must prescribe them and monitor the process.
The importance of treating a carious tooth
Caries usually develops slowly. At the initial stage, it looks like a white spot, which can be gotten rid of in the most gentle way possible without preparing the carious cavity - using special gels and solutions. As the pathology progresses, the infection penetrates deeper and can cause inflammation of the neurovascular bundle. At this stage, you cannot do without drilling, cleaning and filling the cavity. If caries is not treated, the tooth may completely decay and will have to be removed.
In addition, the affected unit is a source of infection and can cause chronic diseases and destruction of adjacent teeth. When the chewing function of the unit is impaired, the patient gradually develops gastrointestinal diseases. And, of course, a tooth damaged by caries looks unaesthetic.
Remember: the longer you delay visiting a doctor, the more the tooth will decay, and the more expensive its treatment will be. So, at the slightest suspicion of a problem, it is better to consult a dentist.
How to remove caries at home using folk remedies?
In addition to the medicinal approach, there are a lot of popular recommendations on how to get rid of caries at home. Here are a few recipes that traditional medicine offers:
- Rinse your mouth with sage infusion.
One tablespoon is poured with boiling water, the broth is left for about an hour, and then a cotton swab is moistened in the resulting infusion and applied to the affected tooth. After this, you need to rinse your teeth and mouth with sage. Dentists note that sage is indeed a natural antiseptic and can prevent the growth of bacteria. But this remedy does not help cure dental caries at home; it can only temporarily slow down the process or serve as a preventive measure for caries.
- Apply fir oil to the tooth.
Another popular recommendation is to apply a cotton swab with fir oil to the sore tooth. You will not be able to remove caries with this remedy on your own, but it can temporarily provide a good analgesic effect. You should make an appointment with a doctor as soon as possible, because pain in the teeth may indicate complicated caries or pulpitis.
- Garlic.
There are many folk tips for home treatment of caries using garlic. It is recommended to apply it to the tooth, lean it against the cheek on the side of the diseased tooth, and soak the enamel with juice. And although garlic’s ability to destroy microbes is beyond doubt, it is powerless in the fight against tooth decay. At best, it will partially relieve pain, but it certainly will not help cure deep caries.
- Onion peel.
To treat caries at home, it is suggested to prepare a decoction of onion peels, leave it for several hours and use it as a mouth rinse. The infusion has an antiseptic effect and slightly dulls the pain. There are dozens of other folk recipes that suggest rinsing your mouth, applying something to tooth enamel, or rubbing it into your gums.
- Self-medication is dangerous and unprofitable
It is important to treat any folk remedies critically and remember that their use not only does not guarantee recovery, but can sometimes be dangerous. For example, tinctures for rinsing with alcohol cause damage to the mucous membrane, ulcers and tissue erosion.
You must understand that the development of caries in most cases can be stopped only by removing damaged tooth tissue and filling the cavity. No herbal infusion can cope with this task.
Trying to cure caries at home, a person triggers the pathological process to such an extent that serious complications can arise, and caries spreads to the soft tissues of the tooth. And then, in any case, it will not be possible to avoid visiting the dentist, only the treatment process will be longer, more painful and will require significant financial costs.
Is it easy to detect tooth damage?
When caries first appears, it appears as a white or brown spot. Due to the small size of the defect, the patient will most likely not notice the problem. Only people with increased sensitivity of the enamel may experience pain, which will prompt the idea of contacting a specialist.
As the pathology progresses, the patient will experience the following symptoms:
- pain in response to irritants (sour, sweet, cold, hot foods) or chewing hard foods;
- the appearance of brown or black areas on the tooth;
- coating on the tongue;
- the formation of a cavity that can be palpated with the tongue and can scratch and injure its mucous membrane;
- bad breath that does not disappear after proper cleaning and use of mouthwash.
If these signs of illness appear, you need to visit the dentist in the coming days and undergo the recommended treatment. No folk remedies will help eliminate caries! Even if the tooth begins to hurt less or the pain subsides altogether, a consultation with a dentist is necessary. Otherwise, the development of complications cannot be avoided.
The influence of dietary habits on caries
The destruction of the enamel structure is facilitated by the acid secreted by bacteria. It is formed in large quantities when consuming carbohydrate foods. Therefore, to prevent caries, it is necessary to limit the consumption of sweets and sugar, and after eating sweet foods, be sure to rinse your mouth.
Caries develops faster when the enamel becomes thinner. In order for teeth to be strong and less susceptible to decay, the body must receive sufficient amounts of vitamins and microelements. They can be taken as a multivitamin as prescribed by your doctor, but it is best to take them through food. To do this, the diet must be varied and balanced, it must contain dairy products, fish, cheese, and fresh herbs.
It is useful to eat solid vegetables and fruits (carrots, apples). They mechanically clean the enamel from plaque and stimulate blood flow in the gums. Avoid eating foods and drinks that are too hot or too cold. Due to temperature changes, microscopic cracks form on the enamel, which contributes to the development of caries.
Preventive actions
If you follow the rules of prevention, the likelihood of developing caries is eliminated. It is recommended to carry out active prevention from childhood, since baby teeth are more sensitive to adverse factors.
Preventive measures:
- Regular and thorough brushing of teeth;
- Control of consumption of flour and sweets;
- Monitoring the level of vitamins in the body;
- Regular visits to the dentist;
- Timely treatment of concomitant diseases.
Good immunity reduces the risk of developing caries
The bacteria that cause tooth decay are part of the normal microflora of the oral cavity. But with weakened immunity and other accompanying factors, they can cause caries. At home, everyone can prevent this dental disease by strengthening the immune system. This is facilitated by hardening, reducing stress levels, quality sleep at night, proper nutrition, giving up bad habits, and maintaining a normal weight.
The fewer factors that weaken the immune system, the lower the risk of dental caries.
How to brush your teeth and how to rinse your mouth to prevent caries
Everyone can take care of their dental and oral health without leaving home. To do this, you must follow the rules of hygiene:
- Brush your teeth twice a day using the correct technique for at least two to three minutes.
- Use fluoride toothpaste (if recommended by your dentist).
- After brushing your teeth, be sure to use dental floss to remove food debris and plaque from the interdental spaces.
- Using an irrigator helps to achieve the maximum degree of cleanliness. This device creates a powerful stream of water that removes dirt from areas of the mouth where a toothbrush cannot reach.
- It is important to brush not only your teeth, but your tongue and the inside of your cheeks. Plaque also accumulates on them and bacteria that cause caries multiply.
- Use special rinses after cleaning. They have an antimicrobial effect, preventing the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity.
Fluoritray device
The device is manufactured in Israel by Fluorinex. The kit includes a tray with a sponge, an electrophoresis kit (container and battery), saline solution and fluoride gel.
Before the procedure, a small amount of Vaseline is applied to the gums for protection. A sponge is moistened with copper chloride, the tray is placed in the mouth, and the upper teeth are immersed in the preparatory solution for 1 minute. Do the same with the lower jaw.
The fluoride gel is then poured into a container to which a power supply is attached, after which the tray is placed in the mouth for 4 minutes. First, the medicine acts on the upper jaw, and then on the lower jaw.
Electric waves contribute to the formation of a protective layer on the surface of the teeth, preventing plaque from settling and the proliferation of bacteria. It is recommended to do the procedure once a year.
Don't forget about professional hygiene
No matter how carefully you take care of your oral cavity at home, you need to undergo a professional cleaning procedure at the dentist twice a year. In a clinical setting, you can effectively remove complex dental deposits and restore the normal mineral balance of tooth enamel. If you wear braces, professional cleaning should be done at least three times a year.
Professional oral hygiene and further care at home along with other caries prevention measures will help to reliably protect tooth enamel from destruction.
Clinical researches
The effectiveness of ASEPTA series products has been repeatedly proven clinically. For example, multiple clinical studies have demonstrated that using ASEPTA propolis gum gel for a week can reduce gum inflammation by 31%. And the two-component mouth rinse ASEPTA ACTIVE more effectively combats the causes of inflammation and bleeding compared to single-component rinses - it reduces inflammation by 41% and reduces bleeding gums by 43%.
Sources:
- Comparative clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment of traumatic lesions of the oral mucosa IORDANISHVILI A.K. *,** Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Professor of the Department *Department of Orthopedic Dentistry of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “North-Western State Medical University named after. I.I. Mechnikov" of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation (rector - Doctor of Medical Sciences Sayganov S.A.); **Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Surgical Dentistry of the Federal State Budgetary Military Educational Institution of Higher Education “Military Medical Academy named after S.M. Kirov" of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation (chief - Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor A.Ya. Fisun).
- The role of anti-inflammatory rinse in the treatment of periodontal diseases (L.Yu. Orekhova, A.A. Leontyev, S.B. Ulitovsky) L.Yu. OREKHOVA, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof., Head of Department; A.A. LEONTIEV, dentist; S.B. ULITOVSKY, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Prof. Department of Therapeutic Dentistry of St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I. P. Pavlova
- Report on the determination/confirmation of the preventive properties of personal oral hygiene products “ASEPTA PLUS” Remineralization doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
- Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of toothpaste “ASEPTA PLUS” COFFEE and TOBACCO Author: doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky. First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry
- Report on determining/confirming the preventive properties of toothpaste “ASEPTA PLUS” GENTLE WHITENING” Author: doctor-researcher A.A. Leontyev, head Department of Preventive Dentistry, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor S.B. Ulitovsky First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after. acad. I.P. Pavlova, Department of Preventive Dentistry