Tooth decay, also
known as a cavity, or cavities, occurs when we eat sugary and sticky foods, like chocolates, bacteria living in our mouth mouths break down the carbohydrates and produce acids that
dissolve minerals in our tooth enamel. The
longer the sugar is in contact with teeth, the more damage bacteria can cause. Untreated tooth decay may cause infection, extreme pain
and the loss of tooth.
The decay process
begins with the unnoticeable damage to the enamel of your teeth and then
steadily progresses to deeper layers of the tooth, eventually leading to the
pulp. The pulp of your teeth contains highly-sensitive blood vessels and
nerves.
Causes of Tooth Decay
- Poor Oral Hygiene Practices:
You should brush
your teeth at least twice a day – morning and night, but it is ideal to brush
after every meal. And remember to brush for at least three minutes. Improper
oral hygiene will ultimately lead to tooth decay. Tooth decay due to poor oral
hygiene is avoidable. Watch video of brushing technique.
- Pit and Fissure on tooth surface:
Individuals with
enamel issues and who have deep crevices in their teeth are highly-likely to
have problems with tooth decay. This is because the deep crevices allow bacteria
and plaque easy access to grow. Dental pit and fissure sealants are typically
used to prevent tooth decay in patients with deep tooth pit and fissures. A
dental sealant is only safe for uninfected teeth for the prevention of tooth
decay.
- Improper Nutrition
- Sugary Foods
Sugary foods are
the best friends of the bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria in your mouth
literally feed off of sugary foods, and then begin to coat your teeth in
damaging acid. This can all happen in a matter of seconds and can occur several
times over the course of just one meal, which is why it’s recommended to brush
your teeth after each meal to eliminate acid. When thinking of sugary foods,
you more than likely think of “candy” and things like that, when in fact, there
are many foods that contain “hidden sugars.” So be careful and always be on the
lookout for hidden sugars. Remember, sugary drinks such as juice are just as
damaging to your teeth as soda.
- Acidic Foods and Drinks
Acidic drinks and foods lower the pH level of
the mouth so consuming those causes the teeth to demineralise. Drinks low in pH
levels that cause dental erosion include fruit juices, sports drinks, wine,
beer and carbonated drinks. Orange and apple juices are common culprits among
fruit juices. Carbonated drinks such as colas are also very acidic.
While exposure to
acidic foods, such as lemons, oranges and grapefruits don’t directly cause
cavities, it weakens the enamel on your teeth, which can weaken teeth and make
them more prone to decay.
- Dry Mouth Issues
Due to the fact
that saliva helps inhibit the growth of plaque, persons with dry mouth
conditions will more than likely have dental issues which lead to tooth decay.
Dry mouth may be caused by prescription medications, it may be genetic, or it
may be caused by medical conditions such as Diabetes. Radiation for cancer
treatment is responsible for dry mouth syndrome.
Many people grind
their teeth and do not even realize that they do this. Tooth grinding typically
occurs when persons are asleep or when they’re under immense stress. Tooth
grinding leads to tooth decay due to the fact that it strips away the outer
layer of tooth enamel. Tooth grinding is preventable with the use of a “bite
guard,” also known as a “night guard,” and with the reduction of stress.
- Genetics
Many time people
have issues with tooth decay due to genetically defective enamel and dentine,
which are less resistant to dental decay. Pit and fissure, one of the causes of
dental decay is also result by genetics.
- Age
Dental caries can
occur at any age. Children are more affected because of poor oral hygiene and
sugary food like chocolate.
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