Tooth decay is tooth damage to the outer surface of the tooth. It occurs when bacteria from the mouth make acidic acids that damage the tooth’s enamel. Tooth decay may cause cavities (visible or invisible cavities), which are damaged areas in the teeth. If untreated, tooth decay may result in tooth loss, infection, pain, and even tooth abscesses (infections under the tooth). Left untreated, tooth decay can spread to other parts of the mouth and cause complications such as gum disease, respiratory infections, and heart disease. Therefore, you should take steps to have your tooth decay treated.
Tooth decay may be caused by structural factors, like poor dental care or disease, or by nutritional factors, such as refined carbohydrates, sugars, and acidic foods. Changes in diet may help prevent tooth decay by increasing the intake of certain minerals, especially calcium and magnesium, and by decreasing animal protein and milk products. However, supplements that contain important trace minerals can also help.
Tooth decay starts with bacteria entering the enamel of the tooth and building a living environment there. Enamel is the hard outer cover of the tooth, protecting it from decay-causing bacteria. Bacteria build their colonies on the enamel by secreting acids into the pulp, or center, of the tooth. These acids eat away at the enamel until the surface flakes away, exposing the decay-causing bacteria below.
There are many ways to prevent tooth decay, including regular brushing, flossing, using dental floss, using fluoride toothpaste, and regular professional cleaning. Fluoride toothpaste can help prevent tooth decay by giving you better oral health. Fluoride can be added to your regular toothbrush, but it is better to brush with plain water instead, since toothpaste has fluoride added to it as well.
Cavities form when there is an accumulation of bacteria over time in the mouth. If this bacteria isn’t cleaned away after eating, it will continue to build up, eventually causing cavities. As the cavities begin to build up, they block the flow of saliva, which helps to keep the teeth clean and healthy. Over time, cavities can cause a lot of pain for those who have them, leading to an overall lack of good oral health.
If you brush and floss regularly, keep up on your dental visits, and visit your dentist for a cleaning, you can greatly reduce the risks of developing tooth decay. However, if you do not brush and floss, the buildup of bacteria and other substances on the teeth, along with the acids produced by plaque, will continue to damage your enamel and reduce your protective layer of enamel, called the dentin. Once this layer begins to wear away, the acid will eat away at the dentin until it disintegrates entirely. Therefore, it is very important that you brush and floss often.
The minerals found in fruits and vegetables are very important for maintaining proper dental health. The minerals in fruits and vegetables help to strengthen the enamels, or coverings of the teeth, which help to prevent cavities from forming. The minerals found in these foods will also help to strengthen your teeth so that they will remain stronger and less susceptible to other elements like sugar and fat. Because of this, eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables is strongly recommended for preventing tooth decay and cavity buildup.
Another way that you can prevent cavities from occurring is to avoid acidic foods, such as candy, soft drinks, fruit juices, ice cream, and more. Eating foods that are high in calcium is essential to prevent tooth decay from developing. Some of these foods include tofu, cheese, broccoli, milk, wheat germ, nuts, eggs, and more. This is because calcium is a strong enamel building substance and will help to strengthen and build up your enamel even if you do not have cavities currently. Therefore, it is important to add these foods to your diet for the health of your smile and for avoiding tooth decay.