MedlinePlus: Tooth Decay

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Tooth Decay

Also called: Cavities, Dental caries  To use the sharing features on this page, please enable JavaScript.    

You call it a cavity. Your dentist calls it tooth decay or dental caries. They're all names for a hole in your tooth. The cause of tooth decay is plaque, a sticky substance in your mouth made up mostly of germs. Tooth decay starts in the outer layer, called the enamel. Without a filling, the decay can get deep into the tooth and its nerves and cause a toothache or abscess.

To help prevent cavities

Brush your teeth every day with a fluoride toothpasteClean between your teeth every day with floss or another type of between-the-teeth cleanerSnack smart - limit sugary snacksSee your dentist or oral health professional regularly     Get Tooth Decay updates by email What's this?   Start Here Cavities/Tooth Decay(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Tooth Decay (Cavities/Caries)(American Dental Association)    

    The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups: Basics , Learn More , and Multimedia & Cool Tools .   For group Basics Overviews Latest News Diagnosis/Symptoms Treatment Prevention/Screening For group Learn More Specific Conditions Related Issues For group Multimedia & Cool Tools Pictures & Photographs Health Check Tools  

  The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups: Research , Reference Shelf , and For You .   For group Research Anatomy/Physiology Financial Issues Clinical Trials Research Journal Articles For group Reference Shelf Dictionaries/Glossaries Directories Organizations Statistics For group For You Children Patient Handouts  

   

Overviews All about Cavities(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Cavities(Merck & Co., Inc.) Latest News Health Tip: Avoid Sugary Foods for Healthier Teeth(01/18/2012, HealthDay) Diagnosis/Symptoms Newer Technologies Find Tooth Decay Early(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Treatment Amalgam (Dental Filling Options)(American Dental Association) Also available in Spanish Crowns(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Fillings: The Basics(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Inlays and Onlays(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Tooth Colored Fillings(American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry) Types of Fillings(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Return to top Prevention/Screening Dental Sealants(American Dental Association) Fluoridation Basics(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Fluoride Treatments and Supplements(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Other Fluoride Products(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Return to top Specific Conditions Toothache: First Aid(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) Return to top Related Issues Amalgam Tattoos(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Bottled Water and Fluoride(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Private Well Water and Fluoride(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Story of Fluoridation(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) Return to top Pictures & Photographs How a Tooth Decays(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Return to top Health Check Tools Dental Pain(DSHI Systems) Return to top Anatomy/Physiology Parts of Your Teeth and Gums(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Surfaces of the Tooth(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Tooth Numbering(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Tooth(American Dental Association) Types of Teeth(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Return to top Financial Issues Finding Low-Cost Dental Care(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) Return to top Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Dental Caries(National Institutes of Health) ClinicalTrials.gov: Pit and Fissure Sealants(National Institutes of Health) Return to top Research Tooth Decay(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) Return to top Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Article: Survival rates of two atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) types in... Article: The Featherstone laboratory pH cycling model: a prospective, multi-site validation... Article: Flossing for the management of periodontal diseases and dental caries... Tooth Decay -- see more articles Return to top Dictionaries/Glossaries Glossary of Dental Terms(Academy of General Dentistry) Oral Health Glossary(Academy of General Dentistry) Return to top Directories Find a Dentist: ADA Member Directory(American Dental Association) Find a Dentist(Academy of General Dentistry) Oral Health Data Systems: My Water's Fluoride(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Return to top Organizations American Dental Association National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Return to top Statistics Dental Caries (Tooth Decay)(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) Prevalence and Severity of Dental Fluorosis in the United States, 1999-2004(National Center for Health Statistics) Return to top Children Baby Bottle Tooth Decay (Early Childhood Tooth Decay)(American Dental Association) Cavity Predictor: Is Your Child at Risk?(Columbia University, College of Dental Medicine) Enamel Fluorosis(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) Fluoride and Water(Nemours Foundation) Monitor Infant's Fluoride Intake(Academy of General Dentistry) Seal Out Tooth Decay(National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) Also available in Spanish Tooth-Colored Fillings(American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry) What's a Cavity?(Nemours Foundation) Also available in Spanish Return to top Patient Handouts Dental cavities Also available in Spanish Tooth decay - early childhood Also available in Spanish Toothaches Also available in Spanish Return to top You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages: You may also be interested in these related MedlinePlus topics:  

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA   Dental cavitiesFluoride in dietTooth decay - early childhoodToothaches Related Topics Child Dental Health Dental Health Tooth Disorders Mouth and Teeth National Institutes of Health The primary NIH organization for research on Tooth Decay is the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research  

 

 

Date last updated: 19 January 2012
Topic last reviewed: 04 January 2012 Mobile version Get email updates Subscribe to RSS Follow us on Twitter

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Effect of radiation dose on the prevalence of apical periodontitis—a dosimetric analysis

&body=http%3a%2f%2fwww.springerlink.com%2fcontent%2f3qp1411440107843%2f">email citeulike Connotea Delicious citeulike Medicine Clinical Oral InvestigationsDOI: 10.1007/s00784-011-0665-1Online First™Published in partnership with the

German Society of Dental, Oral and Craniomandibular Sciences

Original Article

Geert M. G. Hommez, Gert O. De Meerleer, Wilfried J. De Neve and Roeland J. G. De Moor

Download PDF (129.4 KB)View HTMLPermissions & Reprints Journal References (36)Export CitationAbout Abstract Objectives  The objective of this study is to analyse the effect of the radiation dose of oral radiotherapy for cancer on the presence of apical periodontitis in patients without dental pre-screening or specific preventive measures. Materials and methods  All selected patients had been diagnosed with cancer in the head and neck region and presented in the dental clinic post radiotherapy with side effects (mainly radiation caries). The panoramic radiographs of these patients were examined for several parameters, including tooth decay and apical periodontitis. The total radiation dose per tooth was determined. Results  A total of 36 patient files were included, which accounted for 628 teeth to be scored. Tooth decay was present in 88.2% of teeth. Radiographic signs of apical periodontitis were found in 9.1% of the teeth. Teeth with apical periodontitis had significantly more caries present. The radiation dose was significantly higher for teeth with apical periodontitis (37.2 vs. 24.9 Gy). Binary logistic regression found the radiation dose to be the only explanatory variable in the presence of apical periodontitis. Conclusions  This study found that in zones with higher radiation dose, inflammation of the jawbone due to bacterial infection of the root canal is more likely to develop. This is probably due to bone changes post radiotherapy. Clinical relevance  An increase of this prevalance of apical periodontitis in irradiated bone found in this study needs to be taken into account in the dental evaluation before the start of radiotherapy. Keywords  Head and neck cancer – Radiotherapy – Apical periodontitis – Root canal – Side effects – Bone inflammation

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Dried Licorice Root Fights The Bacteria That Cause Tooth Decay And Gum Disease

Scientists are reporting identification of two substances in licorice � used extensively in Chinese traditional medicine � that kill the major bacteria responsible for tooth decay and gum disease, the leading causes of tooth loss in children and adults. In a study in ACS' Journal of Natural Products, they say that these substances could have a role in treating and preventing tooth decay and gum disease.

Stefan Gafner and colleagues explain that the dried root of the licorice plant is a common treatment in Chinese traditional medicine, especially as a way to enhance the activity of other herbal ingredients or as a flavoring. Despite the popularity of licorice candy in the U.S., licorice root has been replaced in domestic candy with anise oil, which has a similar flavor. Traditional medical practitioners use dried licorice root to treat various ailments, such as respiratory and digestive problems, but few modern scientific studies address whether licorice really works. (Consumers should check with their health care provider before taking licorice root because it can have undesirable effects and interactions with prescription drugs.) To test whether the sweet root could combat the bacteria that cause gum disease and cavities, the researchers took a closer look at various substances in licorice.

They found that two of the licorice compounds, licoricidin and licorisoflavan A, were the most effective antibacterial substances. These substances killed two of the major bacteria responsible for dental cavities and two of the bacteria that promote gum disease. One of the compounds � licoricidin � also killed a third gum disease bacterium. The researchers say that these substances could treat or even prevent oral infections.

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Licorice Root May Cut Cavities, Gum DiseaseLicorice Root May Cut Cavities, Gum Disease

New Topic Page: Tooth Decay

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Caries prevalence associated with Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus in Japanese schoolchildren

Caries Experience in a Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cleft Lip and Palate in Brazil.

Freitas AB, de Barros LM, Fiorini JE, Boriollo MF, Moreira AN, Magalhães C.Source

a Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Abstract

Abstract Abstract Objective: To compare the caries experience of adolescents and young adults with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) with a non-cleft control group. Design: Thirty CL/P subjects and 30 controls were clinically examined to obtain the DMFT and DMFS indices, gingival bleeding index, plaque index, and active caries lesions. Data concerning oral hygiene, access to fluoridated water, mother's education level, and family income were also collected. Setting: Pro-Smile Center, a reference center for the treatment of facial deformities, Alfenas, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Subjects: Subjects aged 12-21 years with CL/P and without associated syndromes were matched to non-cleft controls by gender, age, living habits, and use of orthodontic devices. Null hypothesis formulated before the beginning of data collection: caries experience in CL/P adolescents and young adults is similar to that observed in the non-cleft controls. Statistical analysis: Data were analyzed using SPSS 17.0 software for Windows Data Editor. CL/P and control groups were compared using the McNemar test, paired t-test and Wilcoxon test. A significance level of 5% was adopted for all tests. Results: There were no significant differences between the groups for oral hygiene and contact with fluoride. Significant differences were found in per capita income, presence of active caries, decayed surfaces, plaque index and gingival bleeding. Conclusions: The caries experience of CL/P subjects was higher than that of the non-cleft individuals. Keywords: dental caries, cleft lip and/or palate, cross-sectional, controlled study.

PMID: 22250859 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] LinkOut - more resourcesFull Text SourcesAllen Press, Inc.Atypon - PDFSwets Information Services Supplemental Content Related citations Bacteria and salivary profile of adolescents with and without cleft lip and/or palate undergoing orthodontic treatment. [Aust Dent J. 2007] Bacteria and salivary profile of adolescents with and without cleft lip and/or palate undergoing orthodontic treatment.Cheng LL, Moor SL, Kravchuk O, Meyers IA, Ho CT. Aust Dent J. 2007 Dec; 52(4):315-21. Comparison of dental caries prevalence in patients with cleft lip and/or palate and their sibling controls. [Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2009] Comparison of dental caries prevalence in patients with cleft lip and/or palate and their sibling controls.Al-Dajani M. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2009 Sep; 46(5):529-31. Oral health status and behaviour of Greek patients with cleft lip and palate. [Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2009] Oral health status and behaviour of Greek patients with cleft lip and palate.Parapanisiou V, Gizani S, Makou M, Papagiannoulis L. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2009 Jun; 10(2):85-9. Review Adult patients with treated complete cleft lip and palate. Methodological and clinical studies. [Swed Dent J Suppl. 2001] Review Adult patients with treated complete cleft lip and palate. Methodological and clinical studies.Marcusson A. Swed Dent J Suppl. 2001; (145):1-57. Review Fluoridated milk for preventing dental caries. [Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005] Review Fluoridated milk for preventing dental caries.Yeung CA, Hitchings JL, Macfarlane TV, Threlfall AG, Tickle M, Glenny AM. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Jul 20; (3):CD003876. Epub 2005 Jul 20. See reviews... See all... Recent activity Clear Turn Off Turn On Caries Experience in a Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults with Cleft Lip and... Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2012 Jan 17. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed Your browsing activity is empty.

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