Brushing up on cavity prevention

  • Published
  • By Capt. (Dr.) Min Kim
  • 2nd Dental Squadron
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Dental caries, also known as tooth decay, is a disease process that destroys tooth structure causing cavities. Prevalent in both developed and underdeveloped countries, dental caries is one of the most common diseases in the world.

Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen at Barksdale should be aware of this disease and what they can do to prevent it.

Many factors are involved in the formation of caries: bad oral hygiene, plaque, diet, saliva and genetics to a small degree. Caries formation is a gradual process and poor oral hygiene due to ineffective brushing and flossing, allows for plaque, a film containing food particles and bacteria, to form on the surfaces of teeth.

A diet high in sugars or complex carbohydrates creates an acidic environment promoting bacterial action to break down the tooth's enamel surface. If left untreated, the cavity enlarges until it invades the nerve of the tooth to cause pain and infection.

One way to treat the diseased tooth surface or decay is to remove it and fill it with a dental material such as amalgam, silver, or tooth colored composite. Sometimes, decay can cause extensive loss of tooth structure requiring a crown to cover the entire tooth. If the cavity is too extensive or too little tooth structure is remaining, the tooth may not be restorable and will require extraction. When decay has spread to the nerve of the tooth, a root canal is often performed to save the tooth prior to the filling or crown being completed.

To prevent caries, it requires a team approach between patient and dentist.

The dentist evaluates for the risk factors contributing to the patient's caries status: frequent sugar intake, poor oral hygiene, irregular dental visits, eating disorders or medication - induced dry mouth. Once the risk factors have been determined, the dentist informs and educates the patient on their specific risks.

For high caries risk patients, the dentist will recommend a certain treatment or protocol to treat and reduce caries risk factors. This may involve adjunctive treatments such as placement of dental sealants in the grooves of the back teeth and multiple applications of fluoride varnishes. Part of the protocol for prevention involves effective home care to include use of fluoride, either prescription toothpaste or over the counter fluoride rinse and chewing gum containing xylitol, which has the ability to prevent bacteria from breaking down the enamel.

Diets high in complex carbohydrates are discussed and modifications are also recommended to the patient. Caries can be a preventable disease.

For more information or to schedule a caries prevention briefing, call the dental clinic at 456-4719 or speak directly with Capt. Min Kim, Preventive Dentistry officer in charge, at 456-6823.