Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Tooth Decay and Cavities
Number of Conditions: 3
Dental Caries
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Dental Conditions
Sub-category: Tooth Decay and Cavities
Symptoms:
toothache or pain when biting; visible pits or holes in teeth; tooth sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods; discolored or stained teeth; bad breath
Root Cause:
Caused by bacterial activity on teeth surfaces, which produces acids from carbohydrates that demineralize tooth enamel and dentin.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual examination, probing with dental instruments, and dental X-rays to identify cavities or enamel damage.
Treatment:
Removal of decayed portions of the tooth followed by filling, root canal treatment for severe decay, or extraction if necessary.
Medications:
Fluoride treatments (e.g., gels, varnishes) to remineralize enamel; chlorhexidine mouthwashes to control bacterial growth.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects over 90% of adults and 60–90% of school children globally; most common chronic disease.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor oral hygiene, high sugar intake, dry mouth, inadequate fluoride exposure, genetic susceptibility.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Early treatment has excellent outcomes; untreated caries can progress to abscesses, tooth loss, and systemic infections.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tooth abscess, periodontal disease, tooth loss, malnutrition, and systemic infection such as cellulitis or sepsis in severe cases.
Pulpitis
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Dental Conditions
Sub-category: Tooth Decay and Cavities
Symptoms:
sharp, throbbing tooth pain; prolonged sensitivity to hot or cold; pain exacerbated by biting or pressure; swelling around the affected tooth; difficulty sleeping due to pain
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the dental pulp due to bacterial infection, trauma, or untreated caries.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical examination, sensitivity testing (cold or electric), and radiographs to identify inflammation or infection.
Treatment:
Removal of the inflamed pulp tissue through root canal therapy or extraction of the affected tooth.
Medications:
Antibiotics like amoxicillin or metronidazole if an abscess is present; analgesics such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen for pain relief.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common; frequently occurs as a complication of untreated cavities or trauma.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Deep cavities, trauma to the tooth, cracked teeth, repeated dental procedures on a tooth.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Excellent if treated promptly; delayed treatment can lead to irreversible damage or abscess formation.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Tooth loss, abscesses, spread of infection to surrounding tissues or bloodstream.
Recurrent Decay under Restorations
Specialty: Dental and Oral Health
Category: Dental Conditions
Sub-category: Tooth Decay and Cavities
Symptoms:
sensitivity near the restored tooth; pain when chewing; visible discoloration or damage around the restoration; secondary caries detected on x-rays
Root Cause:
Decay develops at the margins of a previous restoration due to microleakage, inadequate sealing, or bacterial infiltration.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual examination, tactile exploration, and radiographs to detect secondary caries.
Treatment:
Replacement of the restoration and removal of recurrent decay, possibly requiring root canal therapy if pulp involvement occurs.
Medications:
Fluoride varnish or gel to prevent further decay; chlorhexidine mouthwash for bacterial control.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Estimated to affect 50–60% of restored teeth over time.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor oral hygiene, diet high in sugar, defective restorations, and improper dental technique.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Favorable with early intervention; delays increase the risk of more extensive treatment or tooth loss.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Progression to pulpitis or tooth loss, potential spread of decay to adjacent teeth.