Cavities, also known as tooth decay, are areas of damage on the hard surface of your teeth. They can develop into small openings or holes, potentially causing toothaches, infections, and even tooth loss. Several factors contribute to cavities, including bacteria in the mouth, frequent snacking, drinking sugary beverages, and inadequate oral hygiene.
Cavities and tooth decay are widespread health issues globally, affecting people of all ages, from children to seniors. If left untreated, cavities can worsen, affecting deeper layers of the teeth. Regular dental check-ups, along with proper brushing and flossing, are crucial for preventing cavities.
Symptom
Symptoms of cavities vary depending on their size and location. you can experience any symptom in the early stages. However, as the decay progresses, you may notice toothaches, sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, visible holes or pits in the teeth, discoloration, and pain when biting down.
CLICK TO WATCH VIDEO
Causes of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is the main culprit behind cavities, and it’s a process that unfolds gradually over time. Here’s a breakdown of how tooth decay occurs:
1. Plaque Formation
When you consume sugary and starchy foods and don’t clean your teeth properly, a clear sticky film called dental plaque coats your teeth. Bacteria feed on these leftover sugars and starches, leading to plaque formation.
If plaque isn’t removed, it can harden into tartar, making it tougher to eliminate and providing a shield for bacteria. Professional dental cleaning is necessary to remove tartar buildup.
2. Plaque Attacks
The acids produced by bacteria in plaque gradually strip away minerals from the hard outer layer of your teeth, known as enamel. This erosion results in tiny openings or holes in the enamel, marking the initial stage of cavities.
Once the enamel is compromised, bacteria and acid can penetrate the softer layer beneath it, called dentin. Dentin is less resilient to acid and makes your teeth more sensitive to stimuli.
3. Ongoing Damage
As tooth decay progresses, bacteria and acid continue their assault, moving deeper into the tooth towards the inner pulp, which houses nerves and blood vessels. The pulp becomes inflamed and irritated by the bacteria, leading to swelling.
Since the inside of a tooth doesn’t offer room for swelling, the nerves become compressed, causing pain. In severe cases, the pain and damage may extend beyond the tooth root, affecting the surrounding bone and neighboring teeth, potentially leading to bone loss.
Risk factors
While cavities can affect anyone with teeth, certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing them:
1. Tooth Location
Cavities are more common in your back teeth, such as molars and premolars. These teeth have numerous grooves, pits, and crevices, making them harder to clean compared to your front teeth, which are smoother and easier to reach.
2. Certain Foods and Drinks
Foods that stay on your teeth for a long period are likely to cause decay more than those easily rinsed away by saliva. Examples include milk, ice cream, honey, sugary snacks, soda, dried fruit, cake, cookies, hard candy, mints, dry cereal, and chips.
3. Frequent Snacking or Sipping
Regular snacking or sipping on sugary drinks provides mouth bacteria with ample fuel to produce acids that attack and erode your teeth. Continuously consuming acidic beverages like soda throughout the day exposes your teeth to a constant acid onslaught.
4. Bedtime Bottle Feeding
When babies are given bottles filled with sugary liquids like milk, formula, or juice before bedtime, these liquids remain on their teeth for hours during sleep. This feeds bacteria in the mouth, contributing to decay. This phenomenon is often referred to as baby bottle tooth decay. Similarly, toddlers carrying around sippy cups filled with sugary beverages can experience similar tooth damage.
Factors Contributing to Tooth Decay
1. Inadequate Brushing
Failing to thoroughly clean your teeth after eating and drinking allows plaque to accumulate rapidly, initiating the early stages of decay and gingivitis.
2. Insufficient Fluoride
Fluoride, a natural mineral, plays a crucial role in cavity prevention and can even reverse initial tooth damage. Many public water supplies are fortified with fluoride, and it’s a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwashes. However, bottled water typically lacks fluoride.
3. Age
Both very young children and teenagers in the U.S. are prone to cavities. Additionally, older adults face increased risk due to natural tooth wear, receding gums, and potential reductions in saliva flow caused by medications or medical conditions.
4. Dry Mouth
A lack of saliva, known as dry mouth, contributes to tooth decay by inhibiting the natural cleansing action of saliva and reducing its ability to neutralize acid produced by bacteria. Certain medications, medical conditions, radiation therapy to the head or neck, and specific chemotherapy drugs can cause dry mouth.
5. Worn Fillings or Dental Devices
Over time, dental fillings may degrade, develop rough edges, or weaken, facilitating plaque buildup and making it harder to remove. Ill-fitting dental devices can also allow decay to develop beneath them.
6. Heartburn
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can lead to heartburn, causing stomach acid to flow into the mouth (reflux). This acid can erode tooth enamel, increasing vulnerability to decay by exposing the underlying dentin to bacteria. Dentists may suggest discussing GERD with a healthcare professional if enamel loss is observed.
Complications
Cavities and tooth decay are often underestimated, especially when they occur in baby teeth. However, they can lead to significant and long-lasting complications, even in children with primary teeth.
Possible complications include:
- – Pain
- – Abscess formation, characterized by bacterial infection and pus accumulation in a tooth
- – Swelling or pus around a tooth
- – Tooth damage or breakage
- – Difficulty chewing
- – Shifting of teeth position after tooth loss
When cavities and decay progress severely, you may experience:
- – Persistent pain affecting daily life
- – Weight loss or nutritional deficiencies due to difficulty eating or chewing
- – Tooth loss, impacting appearance, confidence, and self-esteem
- – In rare cases, a tooth abscess that can result in serious or life-threatening infections.
Prevention
Maintaining good oral hygiene practices can significantly reduce your risk of developing cavities. Here are some straightforward tips to help prevent cavities, but it’s essential to consult your dentist for personalized advice:
1. Brush with Fluoride Toothpaste
Brush your teeth at least twice daily, ideally after every meal, using toothpaste containing fluoride. Additionally, remember to clean between your teeth using dental floss or an interdental cleaner to reach areas inaccessible to a toothbrush.
2. Mouth Rinse
If your dentist determines you’re at high risk for cavities, they may recommend using a mouth rinse containing fluoride to further protect your teeth.
3. Regular Dental Visits
Schedule regular dental check-ups for professional teeth cleanings and oral exams. These visits can help prevent dental issues or detect them early. Your dentist can recommend a suitable visit schedule tailored to your needs.
5. Drink Tap Water
Most public water supplies contain fluoride, which significantly reduces the risk of tooth decay. Opting for tap water over fluoride-free bottled water can provide these benefits.
6. Minimize Snacking and Sipping
Consuming snacks or sugary beverages between meals contributes to acid production by mouth bacteria, which can erode tooth enamel. Limiting snacking and sipping to designated times can help protect your teeth from constant acid exposure.
7. Choose Tooth-Friendly Foods
Some foods and drinks might be better than others for your teeth. Avoid items that linger in the crevices of your teeth, or make sure to brush soon after consuming them. Opt for fresh fruits and vegetables, which boost saliva production, and consider unsweetened coffee, tea, and sugar-free gum to help cleanse your mouth.
8. Consider Fluoride Treatments
If you’re not receiving enough fluoride from sources like fluoridated water, your dentist may recommend periodic fluoride treatments. They might also suggest custom trays for applying prescription fluoride if you’re at high risk of tooth decay.
9. Inquire About Antiseptic Treatments
In certain situations where tooth decay is more likely, such as due to a medical condition, your dentist might suggest special antiseptic mouth rinses like chlorhexidine to reduce harmful bacteria. However, mouth rinses are generally not recommended for children under 6 years old to prevent excessive swallowing.
10. Explore Combined Treatments
Combining sugar-free gum with prescription fluoride and antibacterial rinses will help to lower the risk of getting cavities. Be aware that consuming large amounts of xylitol, commonly found in sugar-free gum or candies, may cause gas or diarrhea in some individuals.
When to See Doctor
It’s essential to have regular dental check-ups, as cavities can develop without noticeable symptoms. If you experience toothaches or mouth pain, it’s crucial to see your dentist promptly for evaluation and treatment.
