Hollow teeth – also known as caries – are holes in the tooth caused by tooth decay. Caries is formed due to accumulation of plaque and bacteria on tooth surfaces, poor dental health care, and (according to some dentists) the lack of essential minerals in the food consumed. In many conditions, cavities cannot be cured and require treatment by the dentist with fluoride therapy, patched or revoked. However, there is new evidence to suggest that cavities can be self-made at home, with a combination of diet and dental remineralization. This article will guide you to get to know both options, and also provide some methods to avoid cavities earlier.
Treatment by Dentist
Recognize the signs and symptoms of cavities.
It is important to know the signs and symptoms of cavities as early as possible. That way you can take steps to handle it and prevent the hole from becoming bigger and more painful as time goes by. If you experience one or more of the following symptoms, you may have cavities:
• Sensitive teeth or toothache. You may feel mild to severe pain when eating cold, sweet or hot foods.
• Pain when biting.
• There is a blackish color or a hole in the tooth.
• Some holes (especially in the back of the mouth or between teeth) are invisible and may not hurt. These holes can only be detected using x-rays, ultrasound, or fluorescent lamps – which makes regular visits to the dentist very important.
Visit the dentist
It is advisable to visit the dentist at least twice a year for dental and oral examinations. But if you suspect there are cavities, do not wait for a six-month schedule and make an appointment to see a dentist as soon as possible. On inspection:
• Describe the symptoms and signs of the damage you feel. This will help the dentist find the hole.
• Go through the examination. The dentist will then check to see if there are any cavities. Usually they use a sharp metal tool to feel the soft spot on the tooth surface indicating a hole.
Perform fluoride therapy
Florida therapy is performed at an early stage of the hole, because fluoride can repair tooth decay.
• This treatment uses gel, solution, or paste that is used to coat the teeth and strengthen tooth enamel.
• The dentist will give fluoride in two ways: by applying directly to the teeth or to a kind of tooth-shaped surface. Treatment takes approximately 3 minutes.
Tooth filling
Patches also known as remedial actions, are usually done when tooth decay reaches into the enamel and becomes permanent.
• The dentist cleans the hole using a drill. Then patch the holes with dental fill materials, porcelain, or silver amalgam.
• Silver amalgam may contain mercury, usually patients object to using this material for fear of health hazards. Consult the dentist what materials will be used for your fillings.
• It takes up to 2 visits to patch the teeth, depending on the extent of the damage.
Put a dental crown
A jacket or scabbard that covers the teeth called a crown is another way to cope with cavities. This treatment is needed only when tooth decay is widened. Dental crowns are made of materials and colors that resemble genuine teeth and are mounted on a kind of iron.
• The dentist drills the defective part and makes a tooth mold.
• Molds are filled with tooth-like materials such as porcelain, zirconium, or gold to make a suitable crown to replace damaged teeth.
• After the crown is ready, the dentist will stick it with a kind of glue on the teeth. The crown installation also requires more than one visit.
Perform root canal treatment
This treatment is the only way when the damage reaches deep down to the tooth pulp, and the inside of the tooth decays, becomes infected, or dies.
• In the root canal action, the dentist will make an incision near the top of the tooth, then clean the rotted pulp from the chamber and ducts inside the tooth. The tooth will then be filled with a rubber-like material with an adhesive paste.
• Sometimes a tooth that has been treated with a root canal should also be coated again with a crown to prevent further damage. This can be done in conjunction with root canal treatment or a few months later.
If the tooth cannot be saved then it should be revoked
• The only solution for decaying teeth as a whole is retraction.
• Your tooth is pulled out when it is badly damaged and cannot be saved by any other method.
• When a tooth is pulled out it will make an empty space in the mouth. This condition is not appealing aesthetically, and can also cause the position of the teeth to shift which will cause new problems.
• Therefore, you should consider installing dental bridges or dental implants to fill the empty spaces and replace the teeth that have been removed.