Will tooth decay affect the replacement of teeth?

Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
Updated on September 02, 2024
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Cavities can have a certain impact on tooth replacement. Cavities are a chronic progressive destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissue of the tooth. If not treated in time, it may further develop, forming pulpitis or even apical periodontitis. Once it reaches the stage of apical periodontitis, it may form a gum abscess, or even swelling. During the process of new teeth eruption, they emerge outward through the position of the old tooth roots by absorbing the roots of the old teeth. If there is severe inflammation in the eruption pathway, it may lead to the destruction of the dental follicle of the new tooth, causing a developmental defect in the enamel of the new tooth. Therefore, it is possible that cavities can affect tooth replacement.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Will children's cavities grow new teeth?

Children's cavities can also regrow new teeth. Cavities, also known as dental caries, refer to the destruction of hard dental tissues under a bacterial infection. It is crucial to treat children's cavities early, otherwise, they may affect the underlying new teeth. If the cavity reaches the level of periapical inflammation, meaning the dental pulp tissues become pus-filled or necrotic, and gum abscesses appear, it could cause the newly emerged teeth to develop caries. Sometimes, it may also lead to abnormal eruption pathways of the new teeth, such as abnormal eruptions on the lip side or cheek side, resulting in misaligned teeth, which can impact the arrangement of the child’s primary or permanent teeth.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Permanent tooth decay

Permanent tooth decay refers to the decay occurring in newly erupted teeth. The most common case is the first permanent molar, also known as the six-year molar, which emerges quietly in the mouth at the age of six. Once this tooth emerges, it cannot be replaced for life. If this tooth decays, it is necessary to fill the tooth as soon as possible; otherwise, if the decay reaches the dental nerve, it could lead to pulpitis. Alternatively, for newly erupted teeth, sealants should be applied to the pits and fissures of the teeth to slow down the pace of decay. Permanent tooth decay requires us to intervene with treatment as early as possible; otherwise, it may cause pain or even tooth loss.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to perform pulp drainage for dental caries?

Pulpotomy and drainage for caries involve a treatment method for acute pulpitis or apical periodontitis caused by infected dental nerves. Teeth are composed of enamel, dentin, cementum, and pulp tissue. The pulp tissue, also known as the dental nerve, is located within the innermost part of the tooth, surrounded by the hard layers of dentin and cementum. Therefore, once the dental nerve becomes inflamed, the pressure within the pulp chamber rapidly increases. To alleviate the pain, it is necessary to release this pressure, namely by performing a pulpotomy and drainage. This can be done by drilling to remove some of the infected dental tissues, and then opening up the pulp chamber to relieve the pressure, significantly reducing the pain. If the dental nerve is completely purulent and necrotic, the top of the pulp chamber can be removed, followed by thorough pulpotomy and drainage.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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How to prevent dental caries

Cavities are a destructive disease caused by bacterial infection of the hard tissues of the teeth. The first step in preventing cavities is to understand the causes and implement basic prevention measures. Firstly, the condition is associated with bacterial infection, and controlling dental plaque through effective brushing can help. Data shows that dental plaque can easily reattach to teeth within eight hours after brushing. Therefore, it is recommended to brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and evening. Some people are accustomed to brushing at night and just rinsing in the morning; however, this practice is incorrect as effective brushing helps control the accumulation of dental plaque. Secondly, diet plays a role, with sugary foods, especially sucrose, being particularly conducive to cavities. It is advisable to reduce the intake and frequency of sugar consumption. Additionally, effectively supplementing calcium can help prevent inherent enamel hypoplasia of the teeth. If the mother experiences calcium deficiency during pregnancy, there is also a higher risk of cavities.

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Written by Li Bao Hua
Dentistry
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Is it normal to have pain after filling a cavity?

Mild pain after filling a cavity is normal. This is often seen when glass ionomer materials are used for fillings. Glass ionomer materials expand in volume within 24 hours of mixing, which can stimulate the dental nerves and cause pain. However, the pain should gradually decrease or disappear after 24 hours. If there is severe pain after the filling, it may be due to the filling material being too high or the tooth decay being too deep, reaching the dental nerves and causing nerve pain. This situation is abnormal and requires root canal treatment.