Cavities
Cavities
Cavities (pronounced: /ˈkavɪtiːz/), also known as tooth decay or dental caries, are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes.
Etymology
The term "cavity" comes from the Latin word "cavitas," which means "hole" or "hollow". The term "dental caries" is derived from the Latin "caries," meaning "rottenness" or "decay".
Causes
Cavities are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not cleaning your teeth well. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars and carbohydrates into acids, and these acids begin to eat away at the tooth's surface, or enamel.
Symptoms
Symptoms of cavities may include toothache, sensitivity to hot or cold, visible holes in the teeth, and pain when biting down. If left untreated, cavities can lead to more serious problems such as abscesses or tooth loss.
Prevention
Prevention of cavities involves regular dental check-ups, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and limiting sugary snacks and drinks. Fluoride is a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing. It can even reverse, or stop, early tooth decay.
Treatment
Treatment for cavities depends on how severe they are and may include fillings, crowns, root canals, and tooth extraction.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cavities
- Wikipedia's article - Cavities
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski