Although seemingly unrelated, disorders of oral health often correlate with broader health disorders of the cardiovascular, repository, endocrine, and reproductive systems. In the United States, only 8% of adults between the ages of 20-64 were entirely free of cavities in their permanent teeth.
Mild cavities usually require a dentist to drill into the tooth in order to fill it with a non-bioactive substance. To prevent this damage from spreading any further, the necrotic tissue must be surgically removed while the remaining roots and non-necrotic tissue are permanently sealed off. Upon a positive identification of tooth decay from using this technique, dentists may then elect to clean, seal, and strengthen the region using fluoride.
Oral cavities do not have a single cause, and instead, emerge from the complex interactions of a variety of environmental factors. It can take only 20 minutes for this process to begin, as food acids begin to break down tooth enamel after the end of a meal. Fortunately, regular tooth brushing and flossing removes most food remnants and is the easiest way to maintain your oral health.
