Before going into deep analysis of the term caries, it is necessary to determine that it is a noun whose etymological origin is Latin. It is considered that the first time it was used was back in the 1st century BC when the doctor Aurelio Cornelio Celso. Specifically, he used it to refer to what was the corrosion of certain bone parts of the human body.
It is called decay to the damage that occurs in a localizadamente hard tissue. In general, the concept refers to dental caries, which is the destruction of the teeth caused by certain bacteria.
The microorganisms that live in the mouth form bacterial plaque or dental plaque. This plaque, with the remains of the food that remains in the mouth, produces acids that demineralize and destroy the tissues of the teeth. This disease caused by plaque bacteria is called cavities.
At first, decay affects tooth enamel. Then it reaches the dentin and later the dental pulp, inflaming it. Finally the disease generates the necrosis of the pulp. If the affected tooth remains untreated, it can lead to apical periodontitis, tooth abscess, and other disorders.
There are many reasons that can lead to tooth decay. A lack of dental cleaning or poor cleaning can be compounded by a genetic predisposition, for example linked to the pH level of saliva. Foods high in sugar also promote tooth decay.
Treatment of cavities takes place in two stages. In a first part, the dentist must eliminate the agent that caused the infection along with the tissues that were affected. Once this is done, you have to restore the tooth.
In order to reduce the risk of tooth decay, in addition to the indicated advice, it is necessary to follow others such as the following:
-Avoid foods such as chips, cookies and sweets.
-Brushing your teeth at least twice a day because it is the way to get rid of plaque in a clear and forceful way.
-Make use of dental floss to be able to reach those areas of the teeth that the brush cannot reach.
-Often use should also be made of dental rinses that will help combat the aforementioned plaque.
-It is considered that another fundamental measure is to carry out a healthy, complete and balanced diet. We are referring to a diet where both fruits and vegetables, fresh and seasonal products take center stage… In addition, it is essential to avoid snacking between meals, eat five meals a day, avoid the intake of juices that are very fruit acidic and drink enough water daily. Specifically, it is determined that the ideal is to consume between 2 and 2.5 liters of water daily.
To avoid cavities it is necessary to go to the dentist on a regular basis. In any case, it can be said that maintaining proper oral hygiene and reducing the consumption of sugary foods and drinks are two measures that usually contribute to the prevention of this disease.
