what is the dental term for cavity

Full Answer

How to tell if you have a dental cavity?

When cavities and decay become severe, you may have:

• Pain that interferes with daily living
• Weight loss or nutrition problems from painful or difficult eating or chewing
• Tooth loss, which may affect your appearance, as well as your confidence and self-esteem

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What does the dentist do to a cavity?

Tooth Cavities

• Symptoms of tooth cavities. The symptoms of a cavity depend on the severity of the decay.
• Causes of tooth cavities. Tooth cavities are caused by plaque, a sticky substance that binds to teeth. ...
• Treatment options for tooth cavities. ...
• Complications from tooth cavities. ...
• Preventing tooth cavities. ...

Do I really need a dental filling for my cavity?

Luckily, cavities are preventable and usually treatable through a simple procedure known as a filling. Stick around, and we’ll discuss the procedure in more detail below. Fillings are a crucial procedure to remedy cavities and prevent the condition from worsening or leading to other dental problems.

Can a dental hygienist ever fill a cavity?

Can Hygienists Diagnose A Cavity? No says the Ontario regulations, and those of many Canadian and US jurisdictions. Yes says a new study in Scotland which tested the ability of dental therapists to reliably diagnose dental decay, and then compared this ability to dentists. Indeed, the therapists were more consistent and accurate in their ...

What is the medical term for cavity filling?

Filling. Filling - A lay term used for the restoring of lost tooth structure by using materials such as metal, alloy, plastic or porcelain. Amalgam - Single surface silver filling. Composite - Single surface composite filling (white or tooth colored) performed on a tooth in the front of the mouth.

What is a cavity called?

A cavity is a hole that can grow bigger and deeper over time. Cavities are also called dental caries (say: KARE-eez), and if you have a cavity, it's important to get it repaired.

Are cavities too big for fillings?

Cavities Most Often Can Be Repaired by Dental Fillings Obviously, if your tooth has a big hole in it, it's not going to be as structurally secure as it was before. Dental fillings are often adequate for a fix, but in cases of severe infection, they may not work.

How do you stop a cavity from spreading?

Preventing a Cavity From Getting WorseBrush Carefully. Everyone knows that brushing is vital to keeping teeth and gums healthy. ... Stay Hydrated. When your mouth is very dry, it allows bacteria to accumulate, which can cause cavities. ... Use Fluoride. ... Rinse With Salt Water. ... Avoid Refined Sugars. ... Chew Xylitol Gum.

What is scientific word for a hole in the tooth?

A cavity, also called tooth decay, is a hole that forms in your tooth. Cavities start small and gradually become bigger when they're left untreated. Because many cavities don't cause pain in the beginning, it can be hard to realize that a problem exists.

What are holes in teeth called?

Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well.

Can a cavity heal on its own?

However, unless a cavity is in the beginning stages of formation, it cannot heal naturally, especially for one that has broken through the dentin. When you start feeling pain in the localized tooth, it's a sign that the damage is too significant, and you should see a dentist for professional cavity treatment.

What types of cavities are there?

The Major Types of CavitiesRoot cavities – Occurs when cavities form on the root surfaces of teeth.Pit and fissure cavities – Areas of decay in the narrow grooves on the biting surfaces of molars.Smooth-surface cavities – Slow-growing areas of decay on the flat, smooth surfaces of teeth.

What is the procedure called when a tooth has gone all the way through the enamel to the pulp?

Root canal : A root canal is needed when a cavity has gone all the way through the enamel to the pulp, which is the material inside your tooth surrounding the blood vessels and nerves. During this procedure, a dentist cleans the root of the tooth, removing any decay.

How do dentists check for cavities?

At these checkups, dentists can check for early cavities by looking at your teeth, touching them, and using x-rays. As your cavity grows deeper into your tooth, it could reach the sensitive blood vessels and nerves in your tooth. 3  That’s when you’re likely to start experiencing symptoms.

Why is my tooth enamel sticky?

That's problematic, since tooth enamel is constantly under attack. Your mouth is full of all sorts of bacteria, which are always forming plague, a sticky film, on your teeth. 3  When you eat foods that contain sugar, these bacteria produce acid that can damage your tooth enamel.

What is the first sign of tooth decay?

An Early Warning Sign for Tooth Decay. A cavity is a small hole in your tooth that occurs when the hard outer layer of the tooth, called enamel, is damaged. Although you might not notice a cavity forming at first, it can eventually cause pain. In more serious cases, a cavity can result in a dental procedure called a root canal .

Why don't people have enough saliva?

Saliva helps to wash away plague, so people who don’t have enough saliva because of medical conditions or medication are more likely to have cavities. Reflux. The acid that enters the mouths of people with reflux can deteriorate tooth enamel. Eating disorders.

How many people have cavities?

Cavities are a common dental problem. In fact, about 91% of Americans over the age of 20 have experienced a cavity. 1  However, with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, they’re often preventable.

How to get rid of a swollen mouth?

Brush properly, twice a day, with a fluoride toothpaste. Talk to your doctor about using supplemental fluoride, like a fluoride mouth wash, especially if you do not typically drink from public water supply, which contains fluoride. Reduce the number of sweets and snacks that you or your child is eating.

Where are root cavities located?

They are located on the chewing or biting surfaces of the teeth. Root cavities: As the name suggests, this type of cavity forms at the root of the teeth as the acids eat away at the cementum (the material that covers tooth roots and is softer, making it more at risk for decay).

What happens if a tooth decay is not contained?

If the decay is contained, then the dentist will remove the decay and replace it with a filling. If the decay is not contained, then the dentist will remove the decay and recommend the type of treatment that is needed to restore the tooth.

What is recurrent decay?

Recurrent decay: Decay that reoccurs on a tooth that can form around existing fillings and crowns if plaque is left uncontrolled. Interproximal cavities: These cavities occur between the teeth, especially the back teeth which are harder to clean.

How does decay occur?

The process of decay occurs over time: Bacteria feed off sugar and carbohydrates (starches) in the foods we eat, producing acids. If the acids stay on your tooth and are not brushed off, they dissolve minerals in the hard enamel. Over time, the enamel erodes or develops pits. They are too small to see at first.

Why do you chew gum with gum?

Chewing gum that contains xylitol helps to decrease bacterial growth. Unlike sugar, xylitol is not a food source for bacteria.

How to get rid of plaque in the gums?

Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque from between teeth and below the gumline. Use antibacterial mouth rinses to reduce the levels of bacteria that cause cavities. Have regular dental checkups. Preventive care can help stop problems from occurring and keep minor problems from becoming major ones.

Can a dentist fix a cavity?

Once cavities get worse and there is a break in the enamel, only a dentist can repair the tooth. Then, the standard treatment for a cavity is to remove the decay and restore the tooth with a filling or recommended treatment. If the decay is contained, then the dentist will remove the decay and replace it with a filling.

What is a Cavity, Exactly?

No one likes to find out that they have a cavity. But if you have one, you know you should visit a dentist to have it fixed. But what is a cavity, exactly?

A Cavity Starts with Bacteria

Everyone has germs and bacteria in their mouths. Some bacteria are good and actually help keep the acids in your mouth balanced. But other bacteria can be harmful. These bacteria gather together and form a sticky substance called plaque that coats the teeth.

Take Care of Cavities Sooner Rather Than Later

If you have a very small cavity in the enamel of your tooth, you may not have any symptoms, but your dentist might find it with an X-ray. This is the best time to get your cavity filled. If you wait, the hole will grow bigger and deeper over time. Read this article to learn what to expect when you get a cavity filled.

What Causes a Toothache?

The dentin is made up of tissue that is similar to enamel, but it is softer. Because it’s not as hard as enamel, when the bacteria that causes a cavity reaches it, it will start to spread and grow even faster.

Things You Can Do to Avoid Cavities

Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid getting cavities in the first place. By answering the question “What is a Cavity?” we’ve learned that the biggest cause is letting plaque stay on your teeth. Keeping up a routine of brushing and flossing correctly to remove plaque may be the best defense.

What is cosmetic dentistry?

The term cosmetic dentistry can be defined the same way cosmetic surgery is defined. The person has elected to alter the appearance of a part of his/her body to resemble the ideal look that is accepted in society today. In this case it is altering the teeth by straightening and cleaning.

What does buccal mean in dentistry?

Buccal means relating to the mouth, or relating to the cheek. For example, the buccal surface of the tooth is the part of the tooth that touches the cheek, as opposed to the palatal surface of the tooth, which would be the side of the tooth that touches the tongue.

What is case management in dentistry?

Dental case management is a government funded program which helps low income families receive dental care. This program is to increase the amount of poverty stricken families that actually visit a dentist routinely instead of just when they have a problem.

What is anxiolysis in dentistry?

Anxiolysis refers to the state of a patient experiencing mild sedation in the mouth prior to a dental operation. It is achieved either by local anesthetics applied via injection, or administered in gaseous form.

What is the difference between orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics?

An orthodontist is a dentist specialized in the use of applying braces and the movement of jaws. Dentofacial orthopedics is dentistry involved in putting objects into mouths to either fix problems or prevent problems from arising.

What is the study of the mouth?

Dentistry is the study and treatment of diseases of the mouth. Dentistry covers many areas of oral care, including not only dental cavities but also areas such as gum disease and oral surgery.

What is abrasion in dentistry?

Abrasion- An abrasion is an injury that results for scraping or wearing away at the tissue in the mouth. This could be caused by injury to the mouth or the use of dental appliances.

What Exactly Is Cavity?

Tooth decay softens your teeth enamel and inner layer dentin when acid created by sugars and starchy food particles get stuck up in your teeth. Bacteria in your mouth combined with your saliva and food particles may form acid plaque that clings to your teeth. When the acid dissolves the enamel, it creates holes in your teeth called cavities.

What Causes a Cavity?

Starchy foods like bread, soda, cakes, crackers, cereal or candy are notorious for causing acid to form in the mouth. In advanced stages, tooth loss or infection is as a result of continued high intake of sugar with little or no exposure to fluoride.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms That Define a Cavity?

Toothache is a major sign of tooth decay. The prolonged untreated cavity could also cause tooth breakage. You may also see holes or pits in your mouth. When you jolt or whine whenever you take something hot or cold, could also be a sign of a cavity.

How Is Cavity Treated?

Treatment depends on the severity of the cavity. In most cases, your dentist will extract the decayed portion and fill the hole with a filling made from safe materials such as silver alloy, composite resin, gold or porcelain.

Who Is at Risk of Getting Cavities?

Adults, seniors, and children are all vulnerable to getting cavities. In fact, changes in your mouth as you advance in age may cause gum diseases when your gums pull away from your teeth. This action exposes the roots of your teeth to plaque.

Prevent Yourself from Cavities and Tooth Decay

Your diet will define a cavity therefore, follow a healthy diet and avoid foods that feed the bacteria in your mouth. Brush regularly using fluoride toothpaste which will slow down enamel breakage. Floss every day and use mouth wash as well.

What is the meaning of "covering" a tooth?

1) The part of the tooth above the gum line; 2) A covering for part or all of a tooth to restore the tooth to its original shape and size | Read more…

What is a partial denture?

A removable or fixed replacement for damaged or missing teeth; complete dentures replace the entire set of teeth, and partial dentures replace some teeth but not all | Read more…

What is gum disease?

A type of gum disease that occurs when gums pull back, or recede, away from the teeth, exposing more teeth surfaces and roots; usually affects the smile | Read more…

What is the treatment for a tooth root canal?

1) The passageway into the root of the tooth that contains pulp, blood vessels, and nerves; 2) Root canal treatment (also known as endodontic treatment ) involves cleaning the root canal and repairing damage in the area in order to protect the tooth | Read more…

What is an impacted tooth?

impacted tooth. A dental condition where the tooth has either partially grown (erupted) from the gums (partially impacted) or has not grown from the gums at all; this may be due to crowding (like wisdom teeth); impacted teeth are sometimes surgically removed.

Causes

• The signs and symptoms of cavities vary, depending on their extent and location. When a cavity is just beginning, you may not have any symptoms at all. As the decay gets larger, it may cause signs and symptoms such as: 1. Toothache, spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any a…

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Symptoms and Diagnosis

Who Gets Cavities?

Prevention

Treatments

An Early Warning Sign For Tooth Decay

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