What is tooth decay?
Tooth decay is one of the most common oral ailments experienced during one’s life. In fact, almost all adults develop tooth decay, or caries, at some point in their life, though the rates of tooth decay are highest in the developed world due to the rampant consumption of sugar that often marks these societies.
In Latin, caries translates to rottenness, which is what tooth decay (also referred to as caries or cavities) ultimately describes. While we might think of a cavity simply as a sore spot in a tooth that needs a filling, it is the manifestation of the hard surfaces of the tooth breaking down due the acidic conditions created by excessive or frequent sugar intake, poor oral hygiene, lack of saliva production, or even certain medications or drug abuse.
How does tooth decay happen?
All of these conditions create an excess of bacteria in the mouth and around the teeth. The bacteria most commonly associated with tooth decay is Streptococcus mutans and Stretococcus sobrinus, though there are strains of other bacteria like Lactobacillus and Norcardia that also lead to tooth decay. Essentially, these bacteria are typically already present in low numbers in the mouth, but certain conditions such as a lack of regular toothbrushing and/or flossing, particularly in conjunction with high sugar consumption, can allow otherwise harmless amounts of bacteria to grow an create an environment in which cavities can and will occur.
How does sugar cause tooth decay?
You have probably heard over and over that eating sugar will lead to cavities. Eating a candy bar before bed will rot your teeth, mom says. But why does this happen? The sugar itself doesn’t have the power to rot your teeth; if it did, no one would eat it! But it does work in tandem with the bacteria already present in your mouth to produce a different substance called lactic acid. Lactic acid does have the power to break down the hard surfaces of your teeth. So in some ways, that warning about that candy bar is right – if you don’t brush and floss well before bed, the combination of sugar and bacteria present in your mouth combine to create a destructive substance called lactic acid while you sleep, eating away at the enamel of your teeth and creating an environment where that bacteria can grow and spread and eventually take hold in your teeth. That’s when a cavity develops.
What can I do to prevent tooth decay?
Tooth decay is no fun: it can be painful, lead to infection, and require treatment. Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to reduce your chance of developing cavities. The first is dietary; eating a healthy, balanced diet in which processed sugar is largely avoided is a powerful move towards better oral health. While rates of tooth decay are high worldwide, they are highest in the regions where sugar consumption is high and lowest in the developing world, where access to processed food and simple sugar is low. Maintaining good oral hygiene is also a strong line of defense against tooth decay. Regular brushing and flossing – brushing twice a day and flossing just once a day – can also minimize the conditions necessary for the production of lactic acid and the corresponding production of cavities. Finally, regular visits to your dentist is an important means of identifying cavities that have begun to form and stopping them in their tracks. In some cases, there are no signs or symptoms of a cavity in the early stages, but your dentist will look for spots of demineralization and other signs. The fix for cavities is always easiest in the beginning of tooth decay, so make a regular schedule for dentist visits and stick to it. Your teeth will thank you!