Dental Caries

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Dental caries are also called cavities. It is a disease that can be spread from one person to another through bacteria. This bacteria makes acid that decays (breaks down) areas of tooth enamel. Enamel covers the outside of a tooth. Acid is produced when the bacteria in tooth plaque (sticky film) mix with certain types of carbohydrate you eat. Dental caries can be prevented and usually grow slowly. The growth of dental caries can be slowed down, stopped, or treated. Dental caries can also come back after being treated. Factors that may increase your risk for dental caries are poor tooth care and eating certain carbohydrates often. Other factors that increase your risk include family history, low fluoride intake, and low levels of saliva. Low saliva levels may be caused by certain diseases, head and neck radiation, and medications.
  
  
• You may not have any signs and symptoms if your dental caries have just started to form. When dental caries have reached deeper parts of your tooth, you may start to feel pain. The pain may get worse when you eat hot or cold foods or chew food. Your dentist will try to slow or stop the decay if your dental caries are found early. Your dentist will also suggest lifestyle changes that will prevent further decay. Your dentist may also remove the decayed portion of your tooth and place a filling.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

How to help prevent dental caries:

• Brush your teeth two times a day after meals with fluoride toothpaste.
  
  
• Rinse your mouth after meals and snacks with water if you cannot brush.
  
  
• Chew sugarless gum that contains xylitol and sorbitol (sugar substitutes) after meals and snacks for 15 to 20 minutes. Read the label to see if the gum contains xylitol or sorbitol.
  
  
• Use dental floss to clean between your teeth at least once a day.
  
  
• See your dentist regularly for dental cleanings and oral exams. Ask your dentist how often you should see him for dental cleanings and exams.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver about using fluoride and sealants (a plastic coat that is placed over teeth). These may be used to protect your teeth from decay.

Diet changes you can make to help prevent dental caries: Diet changes you can make to help decrease your risk of getting dental caries. Some of these include the following:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods from all the food groups every day. Include whole grain bread, cereal, rice and pasta. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, including dark green and orange vegetables and legumes (dry beans). Include dairy products such as low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese. Choose protein sources such as lean meat and poultry (chicken), fish, beans, eggs and nuts. Ask your caregiver how many servings of fats, oils, and sweets you may have each day.
  
  
• Avoid having snacks often during the day. When you do snack, eat foods that do not increase your risk of dental caries. These foods include high-fiber foods and protein foods. Examples of these foods include vegetables, nuts, popcorn, cheese, and peanut butter.
  
  
• Certain types of carbohydrates increase your risk of getting dental caries if you eat them alone. These include fruit drinks, regular soda, desserts, hard candy, crackers, cookies, chips, and pretzels. When you do eat these foods, eat them with meals. You can also eat them together with a high-fiber or protein food to lower your risk of getting dental caries. For example, you can eat pretzels or crackers with cheese.
  
  
• Avoid sipping on sweet drinks and sodas for long periods of time. Avoid keeping hard candy and breath mints in your mouth for long periods of time.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• Your tooth pain gets worse.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your face, jaw, cheek, eye, or neck begins to swell.
  
  

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Link to Page

Print Page

Email Page