CAUSES OF DENTAL CARIES

TEETH ARE LIKE WIVES WHEN THEY ARE THEIR WE FIGHT WITH THEM & WHEN WE LOSE THEM WE CRY. THIS IS AN OLD SAYING. A major reason due to which we lose teeth is dental caries. In order to protect them from decay we should first know what causes decay.

1) ACID REFLUX DISORDERS :
Both gastric reflux & self induced vomiting observed in eating disorders commonly irritate oral tissue & destroy dental enamel. The extent of oral tissue damage depends on the frequency of the purging & cariogenicity of the diet. The most obvious symptom of bulimia is loss of tooth enamel because of frequent self induced vomiting.


2) LACK OF SALIVARY FLOW :
Saliva has anti bacterial & neutralizing properties. These two properties are of significance as caries is a disease where bacteria &acids are involved. The average amount of salivary secretions in 24 hours is roughly estimates as 1& ½ lts .The flow is not steady in an individual as rate of secretion is influenced by various factors. The condition of dryness of mouth called XEROSTOMIA may be caused by number of diseases that interrupt the secretary nerve pathway. A regular flow of saliva aids in bringing down the caries rate. Individuals who have to undergo radiation of the parotid salivary gland of left side develop more caries on the left side because of decreases salivary flow in left side.


3) MEDICATIONS USED:
Several categories of medications can affect the integrity of the oral mucosa, taste, sensation & salivary production. Care should be taken to assess the effects of medications in the oral cavity & how these effects can be minimized by alterations in diet or during therapy. The following medications affect teeth

- Anti anxiety agents

- Anti depressants

- Anti histamines

- Anti hypertensives

- Diuretics

- Sedatives

- Tranquilizers

4) NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY:
Nutrition plays a significant part in the caries incidence. Deficiency of Vitamin A, C, D & proteins in infants & children result in their teeth being more vulnerable to decay than those of others. Lady Mallenby, the famous British dental researcher who studied the nutritional aspect of dental caries for over 30 years demonstrated that adequate supplements of Vitamins, Calcium & Phosphorus to diets brought an appreciable drop in caries incidence.


5) SOFT FOOD :
Today's finely powdered flour without a trace of husk harms the teeth of people as food made from refines flour needs no chewing & it rapidly forms into a sticky mass that adheres to the teeth .