How do cavities form and how do you prevent them?
Cavities form when the enamel of your teeth wears away. This happens when you eat and drink, bathe, or brush your teeth too often. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, cavity-causing bacteria can build up in between your teeth and around the gum line.
When a cavity forms, it makes an opening called an arcade or sulcus that is deeper than the rest of the tooth. The enamel on this area is thinner than normal, so decay can spread in these areas more easily.
The best way to prevent cavities from forming is to brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste (sold over-the-counter at most drugstores), floss once a day, and see your dentist regularly for professional cleanings every six months or so.
Primary Cause
The primary cause of tooth decay is the bacteria that form plaque on teeth. Plaque is a sticky film that develops over time when food and bacteria from your mouth combine with saliva to form sticky films that trap minerals in the tooth’s enamel. The trapped minerals are then dissolved by acid produced by the bacterial fermentation of sugars and starches in your mouth. This acidic environment is what causes tooth decay, which can cause severe damage to the inner structure of your teeth.
Cavities form when an acid is produced in the mouth. The most common cause of cavities is the decay of food, especially carbohydrates. Sugary foods, such as candy, soft drinks, and baked goods can cause tooth decay if eaten often.
Cavities can also be caused by an acid that enters your body through a cut on your lip or gums. This is called “acid rain” and it can happen if you live near a coal-fired power plant or in an area where there’s been a major snowstorm. It’s also possible to get acid rain from cigarettes or alcohol.
If you have dental fluorosis (a discolored appearance of your teeth), it means that fluoride is building up in your mouth because you’re not getting enough fluoride through drinking water or eating foods high in calcium fluoride — such as tea and some types of processed foods.
To prevent cavities:
Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth break down sugar. When you eat sugary foods, the bacteria in your mouth multiply. The bacteria release acids that break down the sugar and produce cavities.
Preventing cavities is important because they can cause pain and damage to your teeth. If you have decay, you may need to have a filling placed in your tooth so that the decay doesn’t spread.
Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, which helps strengthen teeth. Choose fluoride toothpaste with 0.5 percent or higher of fluoride.
Floss between your teeth every night before bedtime to remove food particles and bacteria that can cause cavities. Floss picks up plaque on the surface of your teeth as well as under them where it’s harder for you to see it but is still present on your teeth.
You should also brush after using floss if you want to get all the plaque off of your teeth along with any food particles left behind from eating sugary treats or drinking soda pop or juice with high levels of sugar (such as those found in many fruit drinks).
Treatment
The first step in treating cavities is to make sure you have the right tools on hand. Here are a few:
Toothbrush: A toothbrush is one of the most important tools in your dental kit. It’s important to use a soft-bristled toothbrush that has a small head and can reach hard to reach areas such as between teeth or behind wisdom teeth.
Floss: Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth, which prevents decay and tartar buildup. You should floss at least once a day, preferably after meals or when you’re brushing your teeth, but before going to bed if possible.
Dental picks: Picks are small pointed objects that help scrape away plaque and debris from between your teeth so they can be brushed away with an electric toothbrush. You may also use dental picks to remove sticky deposits on braces wires or crowns during regular visits with your dentist.
Sealant: Dental sealants are plastic strips placed over the chewing surface of one tooth (usually one molar) for up to three years to protect against tooth decay and gum disease. Sealants are available as self-adhesive strips or full coverage
