Caries is an infectious process of destruction of hard tooth tissues that develops in the presence of three components: a susceptible tooth, sugars and plaque microorganisms. According to WHO, by 2025, about 2.5 billion people worldwide suffer from tooth decay. The progression of the carious process leads to inflammation of the neurovascular bundle of the tooth (pulpitis), the spread of inflammation beyond the tooth (periodontitis) and tooth loss.
Caries prevention includes a number of activities, organized both individually and at the dentist's office.
1) Personal hygiene
It includes cleaning teeth with a medium-hard toothbrush and toothpaste containing fluorides in an amount of 1,450 ppm (or 0.145%), cleaning the interdental spaces using dental floss or an interdental brush. Other hygiene products and items such as an irrigator, mouthwash are optional and are used according to indications, for example, for periodontitis, periodontal disease and severe gingivitis – gingivitis.
With a high activity of the carious process, it is recommended to use remineralizing gels (Tooth Mousse, Dentavit, ROCS Medical Minerals) based on calcium and phosphorus compounds, which strengthen the enamel and reduce sensitivity, as well as a monopuckle brush, which allows cleaning hard-to-reach places.
2) Food
Preferably 5 meals: 3 main meals and 2 snacks. It is recommended to minimize the amount of sugars, nuts, cheeses, vegetables, and meat products are preferred as snacks. These products are not a substrate for the cariogenic microflora, and also provide self-cleaning of teeth due to their dense structure.
3) Regular visits to the dentist
We recommend contacting a dentist as planned once every 6 months for an examination, assessment of risk factors for caries and other diseases of the oral cavity, an examination within the framework of cancer awareness in relation to tumors of the head and neck, preparation of a prevention program and a treatment plan, and professional hygiene with the removal of dental deposits. If you have any complaints, you should immediately consult a doctor.
4) Treatment of common diseases
Many diseases of the body (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, oncology, autoimmune diseases) can increase the activity of caries due to medications taken and changes in the microflora of the oral cavity. In such cases, oral hygiene and cooperation with the attending physicians are important.
5) Pregnancy
Pregnant patients should be especially careful when caring for the oral cavity, a change in the hormonal background leads to activation of the oral microflora and a decrease in protective forces. Malignant caries and gingivitis of pregnant women may develop during pregnancy. For early diagnosis of such conditions, it is recommended to see a dentist once every 3 months or if there are complaints. It is important to remember that medical care is provided as planned only in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy (from 13-14 to 27-28 weeks). In the 1st and 3rd trimester, only emergency dental care is provided.
Remember: high-quality prevention and timely treatment to the dentist will help to keep your teeth healthy for a long time!
Author: intern of the dental department No. 2 Bogomolova Anastasia Alexandrovna
