Dental caries: stages, treatment and prevention in Tashkent

Other names: Кариес зубов, кариозная полость, начальный кариес, кариес дентина

Caries is the destruction of hard tooth tissues under the influence of acids produced by plaque bacteria while processing carbohydrates. This is the most common human disease. The key thing to understand is that it is not sugar itself that destroys the tooth, but the frequency of its intake. Five candies eaten at one time are less harmful than the same five candies spread out over a day, because each episode triggers an acid attack for about 20-40 minutes. This is why snacks and sugary drinks between meals are more dangerous than dessert after dinner.

🧾 МКБ-10: K02 🏥 Where it is treated: 6 It's the frequency, not the quantity, that countsThe white spot is reversibleFluoride really works

👨‍⚕️ Which doctor

Dentist

🔬 Diagnostics

Inspection, spot shot

💊 Treatment

Remineralization or filling

📈 Prognosis

Favorable for early treatment

⚠️ At risk

Frequent snacking, poor hygiene, dry mouth

⏱ When to see a doctor

Planned; in case of pain - faster

🚨 See a doctor urgently

With these signs do not wait for a scheduled appointment — the condition requires emergency care.

Самопроизвольная ночная боль — вероятен пульпит
Боль при накусывании и чувство «выросшего» зуба — периодонтит
Отёк щеки, десны, повышение температуры — гнойное осложнение
Боль, отдающая в ухо, висок, шею
Затруднение открывания рта или глотания — требует срочной помощи
Тёмное пятно с размягчением, увеличивающееся за недели

Stages

Начальный кариес (белое пятно): эмаль деминерализована, но полости ещё нет. Обратимая стадия — можно восстановить без сверления.
Поверхностный: дефект в пределах эмали, появляется чувствительность к сладкому.
Средний: поражён дентин, реакция на холодное и сладкое, боль проходит после устранения раздражителя.
Глубокий: полость близко к пульпе, боль от температурных раздражителей длительная.

Кариес между зубами и под старыми пломбами не виден при обычном осмотре. Именно поэтому раз в год делают прицельные снимки или ортопантомограмму — иначе процесс обнаруживают уже на стадии пульпита.

Why does it occur

Dental plaque is a biofilm of bacteria that convert carbohydrates into acid.
Frequent snacking and sugary drinks - each serving triggers an acid attack
Insufficient hygiene, especially lack of interdental cleaning
Dry mouth: saliva neutralizes acid, and if there is a lack of it, caries develops rapidly
Fluoride deficiency
Deep fissures (natural grooves) on chewing teeth
Crowding of teeth, braces, poor-quality fillings and crowns

Treatment

White spot stage: remineralizing therapy with fluoride and calcium preparations, fissure sealing - without drilling
Formed cavity: removal of affected tissue and filling with composite
Deep caries: treatment with pulp preservation under control
In case of significant destruction of the crown - an inlay or crown
Caries under an old filling requires its replacement

Modern treatment is carried out under local anesthesia and is practically painless. Fear of pain is the most common reason why people postpone a visit until the stage when a simple filling is replaced by root canal treatment.

Prevention: What Works

Чистка зубов дважды в день фторидной пастой по 2 минуты. Вечерняя чистка важнее утренней.
После чистки пасту сплюнуть, но НЕ полоскать рот водой — так фтор дольше работает на эмали.
Ежедневная чистка межзубных промежутков нитью или ёршиками: около 40% поверхностей зубов щётка не достаёт.
Сократить ЧАСТОТУ приёма сладкого, а не только количество; сладкое — вместе с main едой, а не между приёмами пищи.
Вместо сладких напитков — вода; соки и газировка вреднее конфет из-за кислотности.
Герметизация фиссур у детей сразу после прорезывания постоянных моляров.
Профессиональная гигиена и осмотр раз в 6 месяцев.

Жевательная резинка без сахара после еды на 10–15 минут усиливает слюноотделение и помогает нейтрализовать кислоту. Это не замена чистке, но полезное дополнение, когда почистить зубы негде.

Caries in children

It is necessary to treat baby teeth: infection can damage the germ of a permanent tooth, and early loss disrupts the bite
Bottle caries - from falling asleep with a bottle of sweet drink or prolonged night feeding
You need to brush your teeth from the eruption of the first tooth; up to 6–7 years of age, cleaning is supervised by an adult
Amount of paste: a smear “about the size of a grain of rice” before 3 years, “about the size of a pea” after
Do not lick a child’s pacifier and spoon: cariogenic bacteria are transmitted from an adult
First visit to the dentist - by one year

Frequently asked questions: Caries

Does tooth decay really come from sweets?+

It is not sugar itself that destroys the tooth, but the frequency of its intake. Each episode triggers an acid attack for 20-40 minutes, so snacking and sugary drinks between meals is worse than dessert right after dinner.

Is it possible to cure caries without drilling?+

At the white spot stage - yes: remineralizing fluoride therapy is used. Once a cavity has formed, the tissue cannot be restored and a filling is required.

Do I need to rinse my mouth after brushing?+

It is better not to rinse with water, but simply spit out the excess paste. This way fluoride stays on the enamel longer and works more efficiently.

Is it necessary to treat baby teeth?+

Yes. Infection can damage the permanent tooth bud, and early loss of a baby tooth disrupts bite formation. “They will fall out anyway” is a dangerous misconception.

How often should I take pictures?+

Sight images or an orthopantomogram are usually once a year: caries between teeth and under fillings is not visible during examination. The radiation dose from dental photographs is very low.

What is more harmful - candy or juice?+

Sugary drinks and juices are often more harmful: they contain both sugar and acid, coat the entire teeth and are usually drunk little by little over a long period of time, prolonging the acid attack.

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor consultation. Only a qualified specialist can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment after an in-person examination.