Cavities

Anyone who has teeth is susceptible to the development of cavities, as there are no surefire ways to completely prevent a cavity despite routine tooth brushing, flossing, and other dental care. Over time, teeth age and so do their natural defenses, which makes tooth decay much easier to take place. When a cavity starts to form, a toothache is usually the result.

What are Cavities?

The advancement of dental procedures and dental care products on the market has caused a serious dent in the number of cavities that people on the whole will face. The sticky film of bacteria known as plaque is responsible for the onset of cavity production, as sugars and starches produce an acid that weakens and then destroys teeth. The longer that plaque is allowed to stay on the teeth, the higher the chances of encountering a cavity become.

To better understand the conditions that cause cavities to form, consider all of the activity that occurs in the mouth. About the teeth, gums, tongue and even lips – collections of bacteria thrive. This part of the process is normal, as bacteria are naturally found all over the body. It is also important to note that not all bacteria in the mouth is entirely harmful and in some cases, even serves a helpful purpose. However, if the kinds of bacteria that threaten the overall health of your mouth are left to accumulate – they will strongly attach to the tooth enamel – creating the filmy substance of plaque.

How Plaque Causes Cavities [3]

The hard coating on the outside of your teeth is called enamel, which is quite hard due to the strong mineral salts (including calcium) that makes up its construction. Your saliva also contains these same mineral salts, which help to elevate the hardness of your teeth. Unfortunately, mineral salts are still vulnerable to acid attacks, which can cause erosion and breakdown.

Sugar helps leftover plaque on the teeth to produce an acid that eats away at teeth. This is why proper tooth brushing is needed to remove this damaging substance. Saliva in the mouth also helps to wash away plaque, but plaque acid is harder to wash away with saliva and continues to weaken tooth enamel. The surface of enamel soon becomes porous where tiny holes start to form. Over time, the acid causes the minute hole to turn into one larger hole, which is then called a cavity.

The Negative Effects of Cavities

Cavities are often associated with low self-esteem because some people equate their presence with poor hygiene habits. As cavities worsen, people face complications that can become life threatening when ignored. This may include unrelenting pain, tooth abscesses, chewing difficulties, infection, broken teeth, and tooth loss. Sometimes, the pain is so intense with a cavity that adults miss work and children stay home from school as a result.