Because of aging, adults often have more dental problems than children. Aside from tooth loss, periodontal infections and gingivitis, one of the most common dental problems for the elderly is root decay or caries.
Root caries, by definition, occurs on the root of the tooth. Because the roots of the teeth do not have the protective hard enamel on them, cavities can start faster and spread quicker than cavities on other areas. It is harder for the dentist to treat cavities on the roots of teeth because it can spread to the inside of the tooth where the nerve is—leading to pain and infection.
Signs of Root Decay
Root caries is most frequently detected through a visual and physical examination. Your dentist will initially look for visual changes within the color and contour of the area at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ). CEJ is a line on the surface of a tooth where the enamel on the crown meets the cementum on the root.
The specialist may notice a leathery notch in the CEJ area of the tooth. Any color changes within the root surface of the tooth may indicate active root caries. Incipient root caries may begin as a slight discoloration at the CEJ and cause dentinal hypersensitivity. Recurrent root caries may first appear as a discoloration present at or under existing restorations, causing pain.
Prevention of Root Decay
Your oral health care providers should assess the risk factors for root caries at each visit and schedule appropriate treatment based on the results.
In most cases, fluoride application, as well as prescription fluoride products, should be considered for those at risk. A prescription for a chlorhexidine mouth rinse, spray, gel, or varnish, or other antiseptic may be indicated. The addition of remineralizing products that contain calcium phosphate technologies to your daily oral health care regimens may also keep root caries at bay.
Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of root decay require a thorough examination and caries risk assessment for each patient. To know more about this disease, visit your endodontist at Lakewood Endodontics today.