Caries is the infection, softening and irregularity of tooth tissues (enamel, dentin) and deterioration of their integrity. The caries can reach the chamber (pulp) where the vessels and nerves of the tooth are located and cause inflammation, pus and gangrene respectively. Tooth decay is a disease of civilization. The emergence of dental caries at dangerous rates in human history started with the development of civilization, with the preparation of softer and carbohydrate-rich foods.
The causes of dental caries have been investigated, but it is not possible to talk about a single cause. Although gender does not have an effect on caries formation, it has been determined that nutritional habits, salivary pH, salivary flow rate, enzymes in saliva, structural features of teeth, and various disorders such as digestive system diseases and diabetes have an effect on caries formation.
Caries development in children is faster than in adults. The reasons for this are that primary teeth are structurally different from permanent teeth, and the enamel and dentin layers are more easily demineralized. Other reasons are that children consume more carbohydrate-containing foods and that the manual skills required for oral care are not developed.
Children’s sensitivity to hot and cold, and their inability to interpret situations such as pain, cause late detection of bruises. No drug or vaccine has been developed yet that can prevent caries formation, but it is possible to protect milk teeth before caries starts with fissure sealant applications. At the same time, the resistance of teeth against caries can be increased with superficial flour applications.
The most serious mistake parents make in our society is that they do not know that milk teeth need to be treated. Many parents think that permanent teeth will replace milk teeth, so treatment is unnecessary. However, an early milk tooth extraction may cause digestive system problems due to the child’s inability to grind the nutrients sufficiently, as well as problems such as crowding in the teeth (orthodontic problems) in later ages.
The answer to the question “Should milk teeth be treated?” is clear. Of course, the permanent teeth to be replaced should be treated until they are in the mouth. The treatments that can be applied are according to the location of the caries; filling or amputation (removal of the tooth’s nerves).
