Bacteria feed on sugar and starch and multiply. Harmful bacteria can build on your teeth and produce acid that dissolves the protective coating on your teeth, which is known as enamel.
When enamel dissolves, it can lead to cavities. Cavities form most easily in pits on the chewing surfaces of your back teeth, in between your teeth, and by your gumline. If you eat foods that contain a lot of carbohydrates starches and sugars , these carbohydrates are eaten in turn by bacteria in the plaque, which produces acids that eat your tooth.
As this continues, the tooth enamel starts breaking down below the surface while the surface itself remains intact. Once enough of the sub-surface enamel is gone, the surface collapses and forms a cavity. Adults who have dry mouth are at a higher risk for cavities. Dry mouth is a condition caused by a lack of saliva. It is caused by medication, illness, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, among other causes. Pit and fissure cavities occur on the chewing surface of your teeth.
Not cleaning your teeth well, frequent snacking and sipping sugary drinks are the main culprits behind cavities. Cavities are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities, also called tooth decay or caries, are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well. Cavities and tooth decay are among the world's most common health problems. They're especially common in children, teenagers and older adults.
But anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants. If cavities aren't treated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth.
They can lead to a severe toothache, infection and tooth loss. Regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits are your best protection against cavities and tooth decay.
The signs and symptoms of cavities vary, depending on their extent and location. When a cavity is just beginning, you may not have any symptoms at all. As the decay gets larger, it may cause signs and symptoms such as:.
You may not be aware that a cavity is forming. That's why it's important to have regular dental checkups and cleanings, even when your mouth feels fine. However, if you experience a toothache or mouth pain, see your dentist as soon as possible. This is why eating healthier can improve your oral health, while eating lots of sugars can be detrimental.
Like any other living organism, what goes in the bacterium must come out. This is where it gets gross. After the bacteria eats, they will then defecate, or poop, into your mouth. As several of these acid attacks are excreted over time, the area being attacked will begin to dissolve, giving way to a cavity. However, not all acid attacks directly lead to cavities. For a cavity to form, there has to be no disruption to the bacteria, meaning that the acid is constantly being applied to the same place.
If, however, the bacteria are dislodged or even moved, then the acid is not applied to the same place. Depending on how much acid was present, the enamel has the potential ability to re-mineralize any dissolved areas. This is why daily brushing and flossing is important.
But, why do we have to brush twice a day and why is recommended that we floss at night? Well, this is because our bodies do not produce saliva at night. During the day, we have a constant flow of saliva, which dilutes the acid and reduces its ability to dissolve enamel. At night, however, there is not a steady flow of saliva, which means the acid is not diluted and can render more damage.
By brushing and flossing before bedtime, we remove plaque and decrease the severity of an overnight acid attack. Despite our best efforts, many adults will still develop cavities at some point in their lifetime. They continue to note that, on average, adults ages have about three decayed or missing permanent teeth.
Although these statistics may seem daunting, all hope is not lost! In most cases, cavities can easily be treated and the sooner they are identified, the easier treatment is. This is why the American Dental Association recommends visiting your dentist at least once every six months for regular dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings.
When identifying cavities, there are various stages cavities can occur at. The earlier the stage, the easier it is to reverse the damage. But if this process continues, more minerals are lost and more enamel is destroyed, forming a cavity. Tooth decay is caused by bacteria.
The food that we eat mixes with the bacteria in our mouths and becomes plaque. As bacteria breaks down carbohydrates sugar in our food, it releases enamel-damaging acids.
At first, these acids decalcify the enamel surface literally pulling Calcium out of our teeth which creates white spots. These spots are where the enamel is weaker and more susceptible to further attacks by acid and bacteria. In the initial stages cavity formation, the damage is reversible. If plaque is removed and tooth enamel is continuously exposed to calcium and fluoride, the enamel on the surface of the tooth can repair itself.
Unfortunately, if not removed promptly, the plaque can continue to attack tooth enamel with acid. As the process continues and bacteria moves further into the tooth, the damage becomes irreversible; too much of the tooth enamel has been destroyed for the tooth to repair itself.
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