The causes of tooth decay
Tooth decay is a common oral ailment among multiple populations around the world. A multi-stage disease, tooth decay first takes hold in the hard outer enamel of your teeth, creating small breaks and fissures through which bacteria can eventually progress through the dentin and into the pulp and roots of the teeth. While it is a common problem, attending to the signs and symptoms of tooth decay can prevent more extensive disease and the treatment that it requires.
The causes of tooth decay are varied, though many can be avoided through a balanced diet and good oral hygiene. Simply eating a well-balanced diet, brushing and flossing regularly, and visiting your dentist on a regular schedule may be enough to keep cavities at bay. Read on for some of the principal cause of tooth decay and how you can work to prevent it.
Dietary choices
One of the principal causes of tooth decay in both children and adults is related to dietary choices. Because sugars interacting with the bacteria in plaque is what produces the acids that causes the damage to teeth that allows decay to set in, the consumption of foods high in sugar and other substances that stick to the teeth form an important part in creating the kind of environment where tooth decay thrives. For this reason, these foods and beverages – including soda, candy, baked goods, and many snack foods – should be consumed only in moderation.
Oral hygiene
Poor oral hygiene in the form of insufficient brushing and flossing can also contribute to the development and progression of tooth decay. Dentists recommend brushing teeth twice a day and flossing at least once as a means of removing any bits of food that are left lingering on the teeth. By removing this matter, often referred to as “biofilm,” you are reducing the amount of plaque that is able to form on your teeth and thereby the amount of bacteria that is present in the mouth. This leads to less interaction between bacteria and sugars, and therefore less tooth decay!
It could also be the case that you are not getting enough fluoride to bolster remineralization processes in your teeth (the process whereby you reproduce more calcium to strengthen parts of your teeth that have lost calcium due to the early stages of tooth decay). In these cases, your dentist can help by providing fluoride treatments that can reverse and even resolve the problem without further intervention. Early detection and treatment is certainly preferable to letting tooth decay go untreated.
Other health factors
Other health factors, including age, gastroesophogeal reflux disease (GERD), eating disorders and even certain medications can cause tooth decay. Oftentimes these health issues contribute to creating an environment in which tooth decay can thrive, such as lack of saliva to wash away particles of food lingering on teeth, which may be an effect of age or certain medications; or the presence of stomach acid eating away at the enamel of the teeth, as in the case of GERD or an eating disorder such as bulimia. If you are experiencing tooth decay that is not the result of dietary choices or poor oral hygiene, it could be that an underlying health issues is a contributing factor that you may be able to lessen by treating that particular problem.
As you’ve seen here, there are a lot of contributing factors to tooth decay, and while some, such as age and underlying health conditions may be out of your control, there are still steps you can take to maintain a happy and healthy smile free of tooth decay. Take charge of your oral health today by practicing good oral hygiene and sticking to a regular schedule of dental visits. Your mouth will thank you later!