More common causes of cavities in the teeth and how to prevent them
Caries are incredibly common, affecting 90% of adults between the ages of 19 and 64, but they can often be prevented.
Also known as “Dental Caries”, caries are damaged areas in the hard parts of the teeth caused by tooth decay, according to Mayo Clinic.
These areas become small openings or holes that can cause teeth pain, infections and even loss of teeth.
How to know if you have a cavity
When a cavity just begins, it may not have any symptoms at all. That is why it is important to be regularly reviewed in a dentist, the centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) say.
Even if your mouth feels good, a professional can collect smaller signs before the decomposition grows.
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Once the decomposition becomes larger, there may be symptoms such as teeth pain, acute pain when eating, visible holes in the teeth, stained on the surface of a tooth or pain when bite.
The cavities are holes in the teeth through which bacteria can enter. (Istock)
What causes a cavity?
The dental plate that forms in the mouth is what leads to tooth decay, the process that creates cavities.
The plate is formed when the bacteria in the mouth are mixed with “sugary or starch food” such as milk, juice, bread and pasta, according to Cleveland Clinic.
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If those sugars and starches do not withdraw from the teeth through healthy habits, such as regular dental thread and brushing after meals, bacteria begin to feed on them, according to the previous source.
Bacteria acids strip dental enamel, leaving small openings that mark the initial stages of a cavity. Bacteria and acid can enter through these holes and reach the vulnerable internal parts of the teeth, causing pain and more severe problems.
If you do not clean the sugars and starches of the teeth correctly, the bacteria begin to feed on them and wear down the hard shell of the tooth. (Istock)
News Digital spoke previously with Dr. Ricky Marshall on the impact of stomach acid and saliva production on dental health.
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“The amount of acid that is approaching and contacts the teeth will contribute absolutely to greater tooth decay,” said Marshall, owner of Stratland Dental in Glendale, Arizona, and a dentist from Wolff Family Dentistry & Orthodontics in Queen Creek, Arizona.
“A dry mouth combination and increased stomach acid can be harmful to teeth,” he said.
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The dry mouth, linked to causes such as snoring and potentially certain medications, can increase the risk of tooth decay due to reduced saliva production.
“Its saliva clean the acid and helps repair the enamel,” says the CDC on its website. “If repair is not fast enough, bacteria enter their tooth and make cavities.”
Saliva helps eliminate bacteria to prevent the plate from being formed, so it is important to treat the symptoms of dry mouth when they appear, experts say. (Istock)
Ways to prevent caries
Cleveland Clinic recommends brushing your teeth with a soft pork brush twice a day, and ideally after each meal.
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Experts also recommend reducing sugary food and drinks, with starch. As mentioned above, they can mix with bacteria and promote the accumulation of dental plaque.
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“You must visit your dentist every year, especially to find cavities,” advises the CDC.
For small cavities, your dentist may recommend using fluoride or other products. Large cavities may require fillings or even root ducts.
Khloe Quill is a lifestyle production assistant with News Digital. She and the lifestyle team cover a variety of stories issues that include food and drink, travel and health.