{"id":4201,"date":"2021-01-14T09:51:30","date_gmt":"2021-01-14T14:51:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/?p=4201"},"modified":"2021-02-23T11:45:38","modified_gmt":"2021-02-23T16:45:38","slug":"dental-caries-causes-symptoms-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/dental-caries-causes-symptoms-and-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Dental Caries: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\">7<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><h2><b>What are dental caries?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental caries are small holes in your teeth. They begin as a demineralization of the tooth surface, and typically lead to the chronic, progressive destruction of your teeth. And they\u2019re super-common! Most of us will have caries at one point or another.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/fastats\/dental.htm\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (CDC), the percentage of children aged 5-19 years with untreated dental caries is 16.9% in the United States, whereas 31.6% of adults have untreated caries. CDC also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/nchs\/products\/databriefs\/db307.htm\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reports<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the total prevalence of caries (both treated and untreated) is 45.8%. About 13% of those cases account for younger people, aged 2-19.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And, dental caries is the most common chronic disease among youth aged 6-19 years. And about 92% of adults aged 20 to 64 have had dental caries in their permanent teeth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Are dental caries the same as cavities?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The terms \u201cdental caries\u201d and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/tooth-cavities-causes-symptoms-and-treatment-options\/\">\u201ccavities\u201d<\/a> are often used interchangeably, but they\u2019re not entirely the same. Caries is a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ethical.dental\/dental-caries-dental-cavities\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical term<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that refers to tooth decay. The term \u201ccavity\u201d refers to the presence of caries\/tooth decay. Dental caries are not the only cause of cavities. A chipped tooth or broken filling can also cause a cavity.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What are the types of dental caries?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not all causes of dental caries are the same<a href=\"http:\/\/www.opencare.com\">. Dentists<\/a> and scientists classify caries in different ways. Types of dental caries include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Enamel caries: Enamel is the hard glossy substance covering the crown of a tooth. Caries develops on enamel due to the acidic environment produced by bacteria.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acute caries: This is a rapid process affecting a large number of teeth. Lesions associated with acute caries appear grayish or light brown.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Secondary caries: These occur on the edges of restoration and fracture places in the mouth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Early childhood caries: These typically take place at the time when a baby is fed with a milk bottle at bedtime, and a small amount of milk remains inside the mouth for a longer period of time. Inflammation of the gums can ensue as well as yellowing of the teeth and pain.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arrested caries: These appear as dark pigmentation without any breakdown of tooth tissues. This type of dental caries becomes static without the tendency to progress further.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental caries can be non-cavitated and cavitated. The term non-cavitated refers to the initial caries lesion development before cavitation occurs. On the flip side, the term cavitated denotes a loss of surface integrity.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"2964\" class=\"elementor elementor-2964\" data-elementor-settings=\"[]\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f73b7d2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f73b7d2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ab6f21\" data-id=\"3ab6f21\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0ccac3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d0ccac3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Due for a checkup?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b87420a cta_text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b87420a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Find a top rated dentist near you that takes your insurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ae7ac98\" data-id=\"ae7ac98\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5290808 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5290808\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/?utm_source=organic&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=conversion&#038;utm_term=all_++++_patient+++++&#038;utm_content=valuablecontent__opencare_blog__octg\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-xs\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Book now<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Caries can appear in two forms called occlusal and interproximal caries. Occlusal caries form on the area on top of the tooth and are easy to spot. Interproximal caries develop in between teeth and may be unnoticed in the initial stages.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When discussing different types of caries or cavities, it\u2019s also useful to mention the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smooth surface cavities, occurring on the smooth sides of the teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Root cavities, developing on the surface over the roots<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pit and fissure cavities, occurring on the chewing surface of the teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When we\u2019re talking about stages of caries development, they include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Enamel caries<\/strong>, which are =lesions developing on the enamel of your tooth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Dentin caries.<\/strong> Dentin is a part of the tooth beneath enamel and cementum (calcified substance covering the root of a tooth). Dentin and cementum are more prone to caries than enamel due to lower mineral content.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Pulpitis<\/strong>, a condition that causes painful inflammation of the pulp (soft area within the center of the tooth containing nerve, blood vessels, and connective tissue)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Periodontitis,<\/strong> or gum disease<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>What are the symptoms of dental caries?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Symptoms of dental caries may vary, depending on the location and extent. Some people may not experience any symptoms at all. Asymptomatic caries usually happen in the early stages. As tooth decay worsens, it may induce symptoms such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth sensitivity<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain when biting down<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toothache in the form of spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any obvious cause<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">White, brown, or black staining on the tooth surface<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Visible pits or holes in the teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain, mild to sharp in intensity, when you&#8217;re eating or drinking something hot, cold, and\/or sweet\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some cases, symptoms of dental caries can be serious. They include severe swelling or pain in the jawbone and severe toothache that doesn\u2019t go away with the use of pain relievers. The presence of serious symptoms requires immediate medical assistance.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental caries are sneaky; many people don\u2019t see them coming. That&#8217;s why you need to see your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dentist<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> regularly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What causes dental caries?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental caries don\u2019t develop out of the blue. They form gradually. Various causes lead to tooth decay, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bacteria<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acid attacks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakened enamel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formation of plaque<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process through which tooth decay develops is quite simple. It all comes down to the formation of plaque, a clear and sticky film that coats the teeth. Plaque typically forms due to a high consumption of sugars and starches in addition to poor dental hygiene. Bacteria quickly feed on sugars, starches, and other particles in the mouth, which results in plaque.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"4045\" class=\"elementor elementor-4045\" data-elementor-settings=\"[]\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-edc4587 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"edc4587\" data-element_type=\"section\" id=\"post_act-on_form\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-172574a\" data-id=\"172574a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div 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elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bdcbd6a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<script type=\"text\/javascript\" id=\"aoform-script-b3ab82f6-afcc-4508-9dbc-94a9511a0130:d-0001\">!function(o,t,e,a){o._aoForms=o._aoForms||[],o._aoForms.push(a);var n=function(){var o=t.createElement(e);o.src=(\"https:\"==t.location.protocol?\"https:\/\/\":\"http:\/\/\")+\"join.opencare.com\/acton\/content\/form_embed.js\",o.async=!0;for(var a=t.getElementsByTagName(e)[0],n=a.parentNode,c=document.getElementsByTagName(\"script\"),r=!1,s=0;s<c.length;s++){if(c[s].getAttribute(\"src\")==o.getAttribute(\"src\"))r=!0;}r?typeof(_aoFormLoader)!=\"undefined\"?_aoFormLoader.load({id:\"b3ab82f6-afcc-4508-9dbc-94a9511a0130:d-0001\",accountId:\"43626\",domain:\"join.opencare.com\",isTemp:false,noStyle:false,prefill:false}):\"\":n.insertBefore(o,a)};window.attachEvent?window.attachEvent(\"onload\",n):window.addEventListener(\"load\",n,!1),n()}(window,document,\"script\",{id:\"b3ab82f6-afcc-4508-9dbc-94a9511a0130\",accountId:\"43626\",domain:\"join.opencare.com\",isTemp:false,noStyle:false,prefill:false});<\/script>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Moreover, plaque can stay on the teeth and harden into tartar. Since plaque contains acids, they attack and erode enamel. This is particularly easy to do if your enamel is already weakened. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The erosion creates tiny holes in the enamel, and that&#8217;s the first stage of cavities. These holes allow bacteria and acids to reach the dentin. If not addressed properly, bacteria and acids keep marching to other structures in the tooth, such as pulp and cause greater discomfort while aggravating caries.<\/span><\/p>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Everyone is at risk of developing dental caries, but some situations can put you at a higher risk. These include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age: Young children and teenagers, as well as elderly people, are more likely to develop caries<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumption of certain foods and drinks. Foods that cling to the teeth for a long time are more likely to cause decay. These foods include ice cream, milk, sugar, honey, soda, cake, dried fruit, cookies, mints, hard candy, chips, and dry cereals.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dry mouth: Lack of saliva encourages the buildup of bacteria and acids, thereby contributing to tooth decay<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eating disorders: Bulimia and anorexia can contribute to the erosion of the enamel and thereby lead to caries.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeding infants late at night: Children, especially the youngest, can also develop caries. When you give them a bottle with milk, formula, juice, or other beverages late at night, these drinks can remain on their tiny teeth for hours, thus creating a fertile ground for bacteria.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Frequent sipping\/snacking: This is particularly the case with unhealthy snacks and drinks. They induce the buildup of bacteria and contribute to acid attack.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Heartburn: When stomach acid flows into the mouth, it weakens enamel and causes damage to teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improper brushing: Plaque forms quickly if you don&#8217;t brush teeth in a timely manner after eating or drinking.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insufficient fluoride: Our teeth need fluoride, a mineral, to keep them strong and healthy. Lack of fluoride weakens teeth. While fluoride is added to public water supplies, it&#8217;s not present in bottled water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Location of the tooth: Decay can affect molars and premolars because they have a lot of grooves, pits, crannies, and multiple roots, all of which lead to an easy buildup of food particles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weakened fillings and ill-fitting dental devices: Over the years, fillings may weaken, and dental devices may not fit properly. As a result, plaque accumulates more easily.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>How can dental caries be prevented?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental caries are preventable, but you need a proactive approach. These tips can help you out:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avoid snacking and sipping<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste after eating and drinking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider getting dental sealants for the back teeth. Sealants are protective plastic coatings applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth to prevent the buildup of food particles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consider getting fluoride treatments at the dentist&#8217;s office<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consult a dentist about antibacterial mouth rinses if you are prone to tooth decay<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consume foods that support teeth health such as fresh fruits and vegetables, unsweetened coffee and tea, sugar-free gum<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don\u2019t underestimate the importance of a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-dentist-appointment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dentist appointment<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on a regular basis where you can get thorough cleaning and removal of plaque<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Drink tap water at least a few times a day<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Floss regularly<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use a fluoride-based mouthwash to rinse your mouth<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What are the treatment options for dental caries?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental caries are treatable. The first thing you need to do is to find a <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">dentist near you<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to schedule an appointment. Your dentist can recommend the most suitable treatment approach based on the severity of your caries. Various treatment options are available, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Crowns, necessary for extensive decay and weakened teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental fillings, also known as restorations. This treatment approach is suitable for advanced cases of caries and cavities. Various materials are used to make fillings, such as dental amalgam, porcelain, and tooth-colored composite resins.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fluoride treatment, which can help restore enamel and reverse caries in the early stages. These treatments contain more fluoride than toothpaste or tap water. They may come in the form of liquid gel, varnish, or foam that you brush on the teeth or place in a small tray that fits the teeth.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Root canal, which may be performed in situations when decay reaches the pulp<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth extraction, which is only recommended in situations when tooth decay is so severe that other treatment options won&#8217;t work. However, since tooth extraction leaves a gap, other teeth can shift. That&#8217;s why you may want to get a dental bridge or a dental implant.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>What are some home remedies for dental caries?<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chewing sugar-free gum after meals<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumption of vitamin D<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brushing teeth with fluoride toothpaste<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oil pulling (an ancient practice of swishing around coconut or sesame oil in the mouth for about 20 minutes then spitting out)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consumption of licorice root<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applying aloe vera gel<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Saltwater rinses<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Home remedies are popular, but no no home remedy can replace checkups at the dentist&#8217;s office or treatments you can get there. Always keep in mind dental caries are sneaky and won&#8217;t go away on their own unless a professional treatment is applied. Adopt healthy lifestyle habits to protect your teeth and gums.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>What happens when dental caries are not treated?<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dental caries worsen if you don&#8217;t get treatment. A common mistake people repeat is they believe if it doesn\u2019t hurt, there\u2019s no need to do anything. However, caries may progress and cause problems in the long run if you don\u2019t tackle them right away. Complications that may occur if dental caries aren\u2019t treated include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Altered position of the teeth after tooth loss<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Broken or damaged teeth<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difficulty chewing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pus around the affected tooth\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Swelling\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth abscess<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tooth loss<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regular checkups at the dentist\u2019s office are pivotal for the prevention and timely treatment of dental caries. That way, you can avoid the above-mentioned complications. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Opencare.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an excellent tool to find a reputable dentist nearby in a matter of seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"2964\" class=\"elementor elementor-2964\" data-elementor-settings=\"[]\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-section-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f73b7d2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f73b7d2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-row\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-66 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ab6f21\" data-id=\"3ab6f21\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0ccac3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"d0ccac3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Due for a checkup?<\/h3>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b87420a cta_text elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b87420a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-text-editor elementor-clearfix\">\n\t\t\t\t<p>Find a top rated dentist near you that takes your insurance.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ae7ac98\" data-id=\"ae7ac98\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5290808 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5290808\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.opencare.com\/?utm_source=organic&#038;utm_medium=blog&#038;utm_campaign=conversion&#038;utm_term=all_++++_patient+++++&#038;utm_content=valuablecontent__opencare_blog__octg\" class=\"elementor-button-link elementor-button elementor-size-xs\" role=\"button\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Book now<\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are dental caries?\u00a0 Dental caries are small holes in your teeth. They begin as a demineralization of the tooth surface, and typically lead to the chronic, progressive destruction of your teeth. And they\u2019re super-common! Most of us will have caries at one point or another.\u00a0 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4204,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[65,131,127],"tags":[151,144],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v18.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Dental Caries: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What are dental caries?\u00a0 Dental caries are small holes in your teeth. 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