However, these four criteria are not always enough to cause the disease and a sheltered environment promoting development of a cariogenic biofilm is required. Tooth decay (dental caries) is damage to a tooth that can happen when decay-causing bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the tooth’s surface, or enamel. What Causes Tooth Decay? Poor oral hygiene. Younger children should use a children's toothpaste, but make sure to read the label about how to use it. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Common Diseases That Cause Tooth Decay. Plaque is a sticky mixture of gelatin that contains water, salivary protein, and dead bacteria. Improper Nutrition: Avoiding foods that are high in sugar, high in carbohydrates and high in acid is the best way to avoid tooth decay due to improper nutrition. It's not just sugars … Some oral bacteria decompose carbohydrates, turning them into acids. And remember to brush for at least two minutes. The dentist is here to help you. Tooth decay, also known as a cavity, or cavities, occurs when bacteria living in your mouth make acid that then begins to eat away at your teeth. Tooth grinding is preventable with the use of a “bite guard,” also known as a “night guard,” and with the reduction of stress. Your mouth is a warm and inviting incubator. We just mentioned how a few medication can cause tooth dryness and create the perfect environment for bacterial growth and tooth decay. It is the perfect humid home for both beneficial and harmful bacteria. The real cause of tooth decay… Carbohydrates, especially sugar. If tooth decay is caught early, there are some ways that your body might be able to actually reverse tooth decay. Location of your tooth – Bestofhealthline. Tooth decay is damage that occurs to your teeth, which can potentially result in cavities, dental abscesses, or even tooth loss. Causes of tooth decay. The development of decay is influenced by several factors: 1. They are one source of decay but not the sole cause. The bacteria in your mouth literally feed off of sugary foods, and then begin to coat your teeth in damaging acid. Major causes of tooth decay are sugary, sticky foods and beverages. As the dentine is softer than the enamel, the process of tooth decay speeds up. Early-stage tooth decay, which is before a hole (or cavity) has formed in the tooth, can be reversed by: Your dentist may apply a fluoride gel or fluoride paste to the affected tooth. Teeth are covered with a hard, protective top layer called enamel. But when they have a dry mouth, sometimes they use cough drops and other measures to moisturize the oral cavity. It's important to teach your child how to clean their teeth properly and regularly. During the examination at the dentist, your dentist will examine your mouth for any signs of tooth decay. Page last reviewed: 2 April 2019 Four things are required for caries formation: a tooth surface (enamel or dentin), caries-causing bacteria, fermentable carbohydrates (such as sucrose), and time. Although tooth decay is a common problem, it's often entirely preventable. What is tooth decay? Such foods cling to the teeth and provide favorable conditions for bacterial growth. It's also important to have regular dental check-ups. Obstructive Sleep Apnea Treatment In Bryn Mawr, PA, the Art of Dentistry by Dr. Stephen J. Gershberg Google+, CPAP Intolerant Patients Find Relief with an Oral OSA Appliance, Obstructive Sleep Apnea Can Disrupt Your Life. Causes of tooth decay – Sugars. If you’re afraid of the dentist, don’t be. Poor Oral Hygiene Practices: Poor oral hygiene not only includes brushing your teeth regularly, but not flossing regularly, not brushing your tongue, and not using mouth wash. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day – morning and night, but it is ideal to brush after every meal. Untreated tooth decay may cause infection, extreme pain and the loss of tooth. Certain foods (carbs) and sugary drinks contribute to cavity formation—bacteria metabolize these carbohydrates and sugars and produce cavity-forming acids. Fluoride helps to protect teeth by strengthening the enamel, making teeth more resistant to the acids from plaque that can cause tooth decay. Dental cavities and tooth decay are the same in terms. Every time you eat or drink anything containing sugars, these acids attack the teeth and start to soften and dissolve the enamel. Your dentist can show you how to do this. A dental sealant is only safe for uninfected teeth for the prevention of tooth decay. Other factors that result in poor oral health include smoking tobacco and not consuming enough fluoride. But once the enamel is weakened by acids produced by bacteria, a pit or cavity is formed in or on the … If you choose to see a private dentist, make sure to agree the cost before having treatment. Why do my teeth decay? Bacteria make a plaque by consuming carbohydrates, sugars, and several toxins found in foods. Some people do not have to pay for dental treatment, including children, pregnant women and new mothers. Financial help may also be available to those on a low income. Type 2 Diabetes can cause tooth decay; in fact, it heightens the occurrences of tooth decay. Cavities or tooth decay are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that occur as softening enamel caused by acids in the surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. A cavity is a symptom of a greater issue in oral health. It might interest you to know that 11.2% of men and 10.2% of women in the United States suffer from type 2 diabetes. Dental abscesses, which are collections of pus at … The decay process begins with the unnoticeable damage to the enamel of your teeth and then steadily progresses to deeper layers of the tooth, eventually leading to … These acids lead to a decrease in oral pH (acidic environment) and remove minerals from the tooth enamel, causing the formation of holes in the enamel. Tooth decay occurs when acids produced by bacteria attack the tooth enamel. Poor brushing leads to unhygienic oral conditions. 1. Of course, carbonated beverages such as soda, as well as fruit juice are all acidic agents which cause tooth decay. Tooth decay can be identified by regular dental … Such foods include milk, soda, raisins, candy, cake, fruit juices, cereals, and bread. The pulp of your teeth contains highly-sensitive blood vessels and nerves. Each time you eat a sugary snack, your teeth are vulnerable to damage from the acids for the next 20 minutes. Ideally, you should visit the dentist every six months for routine cleaning and an examination. It might seem strange, but certain locations of your teeth may predispose to tooth decay. What are the causes of tooth decay… This can all happen in a matter of seconds and can occur several times over the course of just one meal, which is why it’s recommended to brush your teeth after each meal to eliminate acid. Adults should have a check-up at least once every 2 years, and children under the age of 18 should have a check-up at least once a year. Regular visits to the dentist at an early age should also be encouraged. The cost of private dental treatment varies between practices, as there's no set charge. Tooth decay, also known as a cavity, or cavities, occurs when bacteria living in your mouth make acid that then begins to eat away at your teeth. There are many causes that can lead to bacterial growth and tooth decay . Next review due: 2 April 2022, what to expect when you visit your dentist, read about what NHS fillings and crowns are made of, tips on giving your child sweets, fizzy drinks and using bottles, tooth sensitivity – you may feel tenderness or pain when eating or drinking something hot, cold or sweet, grey, brown or black spots appearing on your teeth, reducing how much and how frequently you have sugary foods and drinks, brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, root canal treatment – this may be needed to remove tooth decay that's spread to the centre of the tooth where the blood and nerves are (the pulp), removing all or part of the tooth – this is usually advised when the tooth is badly damaged and cannot be restored; your dentist may be able to replace the tooth with a partial, visit your dentist regularly – your dentist will decide how often they need to see you based on the condition of your mouth, teeth and gums, cut down on sugary and starchy food and drinks, particularly between meals or within an hour of going to bed – some medicines can also contain sugar, so it's best to look for sugar-free alternatives where possible, look after your teeth and gums – brush your teeth properly with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and use floss and an interdental brush at least once a day, see your dentist or a GP if you have a persistently.