The enamel layer is thinned, which causes caries, and the tooth is exposed to many of the associated inconveniences.
- The first sign that bacteria attacked our mouth is white spots on the teeth. These spots indicate a lack of calcium in the body and the beginning of the process of tooth demineralization. This first stage of caries can be stopped by working with a dentist and using appropriate oral hygiene products.
- The second stage of caries is the destruction of enamel under the surface of the tooth. At this point, the enamel is not able to independently reverse the demineralization process, i.e. lead to remineralization. The more advanced the decay process, the greater the chance that the tooth will be damaged in the form of a chipped tooth. In this case, the consultation of the dentist is immediate.
- Destruction of dentin is the third stage in the development of caries. Without dental treatment, bacteria and acids will destroy the enamel, leaving the dentin even more vulnerable to damage. Damage to dentin is a pain for a person, which can intensify, and as a result of demineralization and raging bacteria, the enamel breaks and a cavity forms, which the dentist can save with a filling.
- In the fourth stage, bacteria attack the pulp and begin to destroy the blood vessels and nerves around the tooth. The pain that accompanies this process is long lasting and most often the only treatment a dentist can use is root canal treatment.
- The resulting abscess is the moment that heralds the last stage of caries and is the stage that causes the most pain. An abscess may mean that adjacent teeth may also be infected. This stage heralds a possible operation on the affected tooth.
- The last stage of caries is the loss of a diseased tooth. Untreated tooth decay will cause such damage that the safest option is to extract the tooth.
Causes of caries
Tooth decay is most often the result of the foods we eat, including sugar. Helps caries and too little frequency of brushing and the lack of appropriate tools for this - toothpaste suitable for our teeth, and a toothbrush. Too infrequent visits to the dentist are also an important aspect that contributes to the formation of caries.
Unfortunately, Poles show up at the dentist only when something starts to hurt, and the pain means that the stage at which we could do much more is over. Disease susceptibility and genetics also influence whether cavities begin to form on our teeth.
Statistics don’t lie
The results of a study by the Ministry of Health on oral hygiene among Poles are devastating. It is estimated that more than 95 percent. Poles aged 35-44 have caries, and children in the group of children aged 6-12 have up to 70% caries.
The lack of basic knowledge about oral and dental health in Poland is very high. Few people realize that untreated teeth can cause other diseases. The second problem is access to dentists and rising prices for their services.
Under the National Health Fund, you can benefit from many services, such as:
- once a year: dental examination with instructions on oral hygiene,
- three times a year for routine check-ups,
- local superficial, local, infiltration and conduction anesthesia,
- removal of tartar,
- intraoral X-ray,
- tooth poisoning,
- trepanation of the tooth,
- milk tooth extraction,
- abscess incision,
- corrective tooth grinding
- treatment of mucosal lesions,
- clasp prostheses for 5 missing teeth),
- complete removable denture in case of toothlessness,
- prosthetics every two years.
As part of caries treatment, guaranteed benefits also include:
- “white fillings” - apply only to the front upper and lower teeth (from 3 to -3 and from 3+ to +3, i.e. the so-called ones, twos and threes),
- root canal treatment of the upper and lower anterior teeth (in children, pregnant women and in the postpartum period, these are all teeth).
Additional benefits are provided for children under 18 years of age. It:
- furrow closing,
- tooth polishing,
- impregnation of milk teeth,
- enamel underdevelopment coating,
- treatment of periodontal diseases,
- Removable orthodontic appliances (up to 12 years).
Cry and pay… Prices in dentistry soar to the point of pain in the teeth
Source: FAKT
