Cavities in between teeth are commonly referred as proximal cavities or proximal caries.
Plaque often forms in between the teeth due to the inability of toothbrushes to clean properly these tough-to-reach areas (proximal sides of teeth). The bacteria in the plaque resulting in an acid attack that breaks down the enamel of the tooth and causes cavities.
Symptoms :
- Tooth sensitivity to cold foods and sweets.
- Food lodgement in between the teeth.
- Pain on biting/eating foods.
- Tooth discoloration.
Prevention :
The best way to prevent the proximal decay is to floss the teeth along with brushing.
Treatment :
If the cavity involves enamel of the tooth, a tooth colored filling is the treatment of choice.
If the cavity penetrates deeper than enamel, approaching pulp or involving pulp, the treatment of choice will be root canal treatment followed by crown.
Conclusion :
With regular checkups, the prevention and management of early proximal caries lesions may be achieved with remarkable success using less invasive and more conservative methods.