When we discuss the digestive system and the process of digestion, we say that digestion starts from the mouth, and we cannot talk about food in the mouth without mentioning the process of chewing. When we chew, we make use of our Teeth. Today, I will be looking at Tooth Decay and Cavities, so without any ado, let's dive in.
The Teeth in Summary
The Teeth are bony structures in the mouth used for chewing and grinding food. It is important in speech and vocalization. The teeth are very hard, and that is why it is referred to as a bony structure. According to the Mohs Hardness scale, Tooth Enamel is harder than steel. The outer part of the tooth is known as the enamel. It is made up of hydroxyapatite, a type of calcium that gives it its durability and strength. The outer enamel covers nd protects the crown of the tooth which is the top portion of the tooth from wear and tear when chewing, it also protects it from acids and bacteria.
Beneath the enamel is the Dentin. It is made up of bony tissues and it surrounds the pulp. The Dentin makes u most of the tooth but it is less hard than the enamel. The Cementum is the next layer below the cementum which is a bonelike tissue that covers the root. It is used to attach the jawbone to the periodontal ligament. The innermost layer of a tooth located in the center of the tooth is the Pulp. It is the area that is made up of blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissues.
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In humans, there are the primary teeth known as the baby teeth and the permanent teeth. The Primary/baby/deciduous teeth are the first set of teeth that an individual has in their mouth. It usually appears in infants and children. The deciduous teeth are made up of 20 primary teeth which are 10 at the top and 10 at the bottom. As children grow, their primary teeth are replaced by permanent teeth. Permanent teeth are the final sets of teeth that appear in a person's mouth. The teeth are 32 in number, made up of 16 at the top and 16 at the bottom. The teeth are made up of Incisors, canines, premolars, and molars.
The teeth are held by the mandible and the maxilla. Both bones are structured to hold the teeth through the socket known as the Alveolus. The Alveolus is lined with the Periodontal ligament. Surrounding the tooth is the Gingiva (gum) which covers the root and the Cementum from the outer part known as the Cementoenamel junction, leaving the Enamel to be exposed to the surface.
Dental Caries Disease/Tooth Cavity
Do you start to ask how something stronger than steel starts to get decay? The decay of a tooth or cavity, demineralization, and weakening of the teeth is a very common oral condition that leads to a lesion and advanced lesion, destroying the enamel of the tooth, then going further to destroy the underlying structures of the tooth. Tooth Decay is basically caused by acid-producing bacteria, but what about the Saliva?
Saliva is produced by the salivary gland in the mouth. it is made up of water, electrolytes, enzymes, Mucus, and Immunoglobulins. The teeth are made up of bio carbonate ion which is important in neutralizing the acid produced by bacteria in the mouth, it is made up of calcium and Phosphate which helps the teeth in remineralizing themselves.
The saliva produces a pellicle, a thin protective layer of protein on the surface of the teeth that protects the enamel of the teeth from acid and bacteria. therefore, bacteria settle on the pellicle with the help of adhesin. When this bacteria comes in contact with sucrose, it uses its glycosyltransferase to divide the sugar into glucose and fructose, using the fructose as energy and using the glucose as glucan to attach firmly to the teeth forming plaques as they multiply. Plaques can be removed through regular brushing and flossing. If not properly removed, the bacteria in plaque and tartar produce acid that can dissolve the enamel, leading to tooth decay. If the Ph of the mouth is above 5.5, the Enamel won't demineralize, but with lesser than 5.5 PH, the enamel starts to demineralize. Sugar is a very big factor in enamel demineralization, as some bacteria ferment sucrose to form lactic acid. Also, Acidic food and drinks can cause damage to the teeth. Bacteria such as Streptococcus mutants and Lactobacillus are major bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Several studies have been done on Tooth caries, and one of the studies shows that diets high in sugar and other carbohydrates, accompanied by the lack of proper oral hygiene and lack of fluoride can lead to tooth decay. Having a Dry mouth, and medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS can be factors for tooth decay. Studies have shown that bacteria development and actions are responsible for tooth caries as they attack the enamel in an acidic region, and the tooth caries can get to the pulp area. when the bacteria get into the pulp, they can cause irritation.
Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Tooth Caries
People who suffer from tooth caries feel pain in their oral cavity, especially in the area of the hole, they start to experience sensitivity when taking hot, cold, or sweet substances, loss of the tooth, break of enamel, and headache.
Diagnosis of Tooth Caries includes looking for areas with pain, areas of discoloration and tenderness in gum, and areas of inflammation. using a Dental radiograph is a good way to diagnose tooth caries.
Preventions include using fluoride, dental sealants, dental cleanings, and regular dental check-ups. Good hygiene such as brushing and flossing regularly is very important. Limiting the consumption of sugar and acidic food and drinks is another way to prevent tooth caries. When caries are at the enamel state, procedures such as fillings can be done, but when it has reached the pulp, extraction can be done.
Reference
- What’s the Hardest Substance in the Human Body?
- Anatomy of a Tooth: What’s Under the Enamel?
- The Anatomy of a Tooth
- Dental Caries
- Science behind human saliva
- Sugars and dental caries
- Sciencedirect.com - Pellicle
- Association between type, amount and pattern of carbohydrate consumption with dental caries in 12-year-olds in Puerto Rico
- Mayo clinic - Dry mouth
- Prevalence and factors associated with dental caries in patients attending an HIV care clinic in Uganda: a cross sectional study
- Cavities/tooth decay