What causes tooth decay?
Tooth decay develops when bacteria are allowed to sit on the teeth and turn into sticky plaque. Plaque uses carbohydrates from food and beverages to gain energy to create acid that erodes tooth enamel. Without treatment, decay can turn into cavities which can progress further and cause other issues in the mouth.
Plaque is a sticky film that can coat your teeth giving them that fuzzy feeling. When plaque is not cleared away, the bacteria feed on sugars and starches that you eat and drink and hardens into tartar. Plaque also creates an acid that erodes tooth enamel and can cause holes in the enamel and then it can eat away at the dentin under the enamel. Dentin is a softer layer of the tooth structure that protects the pulp of the tooth.
Once bacteria and plaque acid have tunneled through the enamel and dentin in the teeth, they reach the pop of the tooth. The pulp is the inner tissue that contains nerves and blood vessels. When the part becomes infected and irritated, nerves press on the canals of your tooth and cause pain that can radiate throughout your jaw.
What are the risk factors for developing decay?
Everyone is susceptible to tooth decay but there are some factors that pet patients at higher risk. These may include:
- Poor oral hygiene: Flossing and brushing at least twice a day are key to fighting plaque buildup.
- Dry mouth: Whether caused by genetics, medical conditions, or even medications, dry mouth is a lack of saliva. Our saliva helps wash away food particles and plaque bacteria from our teeth and carries minerals to our teeth to strengthen them.
- Diet: Sugary and starchy foods tend to cling to the teeth and cause decay because they are not easily washed away with just so either. Dairy products, sugar, sodas, and hard candies are all foods that stick to the teeth more than others.
- Location of teeth: Our back teeth are more likely to develop decay because they are covered with grooves and fissures that can collect food particles and allow plaque bacteria to build up. A lot of patients also have a hard time brushing and flossing their back teeth thoroughly, front teeth are much easier to reach and clean and usually suffer less from decay.
- Eating disorders and heartburn: Bulimia causes significant erosion and decay. Repeated purging washes acid over the teeth and begins to dissolve in the enamel. Just like purging, heartburn and GERD, gastroesophageal reflux disease, causes stomach acid to back up into your mouth which causes tooth damage.
- Old tooth restorations: when dental crowns are older and no longer fitting properly, bacteria can get between the crown and the tooth and cause decay under the crown. Fillings can also begin to wear away or chip, allowing bacteria to build up in between crevices.
More on Tooth Decay : Stages of Tooth Decay
