{"id":4750,"date":"2019-07-18T08:54:33","date_gmt":"2019-07-18T06:54:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ahoa.es\/causes-and-treatment-of-dental-caries\/"},"modified":"2025-03-04T17:03:50","modified_gmt":"2025-03-04T16:03:50","slug":"causes-and-treatment-of-dental-caries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ahoa.es\/en\/causes-and-treatment-of-dental-caries\/","title":{"rendered":"Causes and treatment of dental caries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dental caries is one of the most common oral diseases in both children and adults. According to 2015 data, the prevalence of caries in adults aged 35 years and older is between 95% and 100%. <\/p>\n\n

Furthermore,\naccording to the study La salud\nbucodental en Espa\u00f1a 2020<\/a>,\nthe number of caries is not expected to decrease, but will remain at the current\nfigure of about 95% of the Spanish adult population affected.<\/p>\n\n

Why is the problem so widespread? One possible explanation is that cavities are usually asymptomatic in the initial stage, that is, they do not initially cause pain or inflammation or other noticeable symptoms, so the person does not usually realize that he or she has cavities. This is why regular check-ups are important<\/strong>, since the dentist does detect caries at an early stage, when they are easier to treat, and can advise us on how to prevent them. <\/p>\n\n

What\nis dental caries? <\/h2>\n\n

The\ncaries is an oral disease of bacterial origin. That is, it is a\nform of infection that damages the surface of the tooth enamel, and goes\npiercing it until it reaches the innermost areas of the tooth. <\/p>\n\n

In this graph we can see the main phases of dental caries:<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\n
\n
Small black spots on the tooth surface.<\/center>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
El esmalte se deteriora y la caries afecta a la dentina.<\/center>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
La infecci\u00f3n se hace m\u00e1s profunda, afectando a la pulpa dental.<\/center>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Se forman abscesos, y se puede llegar a perder el diente.<\/center>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

Main\nsymptoms of caries<\/h2>\n\n

The symptoms of caries vary according to its size, stage and location. For example, as we have mentioned, in the initial stage there are usually no symptoms<\/strong>, it may only be perceptible to the naked eye as a small black dot. <\/p>\n\n

As it progresses, we may notice a sudden pain in the teeth<\/strong> or molars without apparent cause or when biting. It is a tooth sensitivity<\/a> that is also common to appear in cold weather and when eating sweets. <\/p>\n\n

In\nthe more advanced stages, the hole will become larger and more visible, depending on the area\nin which it is located, and may cause nerve involvement. If this\nwere the case the pain can be extremely intense and spontaneous, with no\nneed for external stimuli to provoke it. In this situation it is easy\nfor dental phlegmons to occur. <\/p>\n\n

Factors\ninfluencing dental caries<\/h2>\n\n

Caries is a multifactorial disease, that is, it is caused by a combination of several factors<\/strong>, such as bacteria present in the mouth<\/a>, the consumption of certain foods or beverages rich in sugars or carbohydrates, and incomplete or insufficient oral hygiene. <\/p>\n\n

In addition,\nother factors such as saliva pH, genetic predisposition or some\nmedications that alter the quality and quantity of saliva in the mouth can\nalso influence the more or less frequent occurrence of caries.<\/p>\n\n

Prevention\nand treatment of caries <\/h2>\n\n

The\ntreatment of caries will depend on how advanced it is:<\/p>\n\n