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What are the most common dental conditions and their treatments?

Caries

Tooth decay is a very common dental condition. The causative agents of tooth decay are mainly organic acids, which are produced by a number of bacterial species inhabiting our oral cavities and making up our natural microbiome. These bacteria are feeding on simple sugars found in remains of our food and secrete these acids as a waste product. As modern diets often contain a lot of sugar, this provides an excellent feeding ground for such bacteria, aiding their reproduction. Bacterial overgrowth can increase the amount of organic acids secreted, which can contribute to tooth decay. In its earliest phase tooth decay is still reversible - you may notice a bright white spot on one of your teeth during this stage. Change your oral health and dietary habits if you observe this symptom. If tooth decay has progressed past this stage, it is not reversible but it can be stopped by appropriate treatment. Tooth decay associated cavities are mainly treated by fillings. If you are looking to get treatment for cavities, book an appointment with our dentist Meath, at Navan Dental.

Tooth loss

Tooth loss can occur due to a number of reasons. The leading causes of tooth loss are tooth decay, advanced gum disease and dental injuries. Tooth decay and gum disease happen in a similar way as described above. Tooth decay causes tooth loss if the decay reaches and infects the pulp tissue, the innermost part of the tooth. The bacteria causing tooth decay can also cause gum disease by inducing chronic inflammation in the gum tissues. If this is left untreated, permanent damage may occur to the gum tissue and surrounding tissues, which may cause tooth loss. The risk of tooth loss can be decreased by maintaining appropriate oral hygiene and by wearing a mouth guard when engaging in activities that come with a higher risk of injuries, such as martial arts or rugby. If tooth loss has already occurred, there is no reason to worry. Dental implants are an excellent way of replacing missing teeth. They are very durable and often last for a lifetime. If you would like to replace a missing tooth, book an appointment with our dentist Meath at Navan Dental.

Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a speciality of dentistry that deals with the treatment of misaligned teeth and jaws as well. Orthodontic conditions are very prevalent and can range from mild cosmetic issues to debilitating conditions. There are a number of treatment options available for patients with orthodontic conditions. One of the most popular choices is Invisalign or other invisible aligners. These are custom made, transparent plastic aligners that fit on patients’ teeth perfectly, making them nearly invisible. They are a great choice for cosmetic conditions and milder orthodontic conditions. For more severe conditions braces with brackets are the best option, but there are a number of ways these can be less visible too. The brackets of lingual braces are attached to the inside of the teeth, which makes them practically invisible from an outsider perspective. The brackets of invisible braces are made out of tooth-coloured porcelain, while its archwires consist of a transparent plastic material. If you would like to get treatment for an orthodontic condition, do not hesitate to book an appointment with our dentist Meath at Navan Dental. We also accept patients for general dentistry with Irish NHS medical cards.