Dental caries—Dental caries are known as cavities or tooth decay
Bacteria in the mouth use foods that contain
sugar or
starch to produce
acids which eat away at the tooth’s structure causing destruction to the
enamel of the teeth. Meanwhile, the minerals in
saliva (
calcium and
phosphate) together with fluoride are repairing the enamel.[3] Dental caries is a
chronic disease that can be prevented and show strongly in 6- to 11-year-old children and 12- to 19-year-old adolescents. 9 out of 10 adults are affected with some type of tooth decay. Prevention includes good
oral hygiene that consists of brushing twice daily,
flossing, eating nutritious meals and limiting snacking, and visiting the dentist on a regular basis. Fluoride treatments benefit the teeth by strengthening while sealants help chewing surfaces to not decay.[4] Severe cases can lead to
tooth extraction and
dentures.
Dental abscess—A dental abscess is a collection of pus that accumulates in teeth or gums as a result of bacterial infection, giving rise to a severe throbbing pain at the site of the abscess. It is caused by consuming sugary or starchy food and poor dental hygiene and is treated by a dentist by draining the pus and, possibly, removing the infected tooth/teeth altogether.[5]