Getting to the root of Cavities

A large majority, if not all of us, at one time has had a cavity! They not only can be painful, but also can cause serious oral health problems. In this post, we get down to the root of Cavities. Did you Know: Cavities are very common, affecting over 90% of the population!

What are Cavities?

Dental cavities are holes in teeth caused by tooth decay that eat through the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin. Cavities are also referred to as caries. Smaller cavities may not actually cause a patient pain, and usually go unnoticed. However, if not treated, they can become larger. These larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet-causing toothache. Mainly, these toothaches patients feel are the trigger for them to visit a dentist.

What cause Cavities?

Cavities are a result of a bacteria in the mouth the consume simple sugars and convert them into acid plaque. These acid plaques attack the hard inorganic layers of the enamel and dentin and begin to soften your teeth. The softened layers are then dissolved by saliva, leaving a hole (the cavity) in your teeth. If not treated by a dentist, or filled, the cavity can continue to deteriorate your teeth, eroding and damaging the inner pulp. This can lead to more extreme oral health issues such as pulp death, infections and tooth abscesses, which are treated by either tooth extraction or a root canal.

How can you prevent Cavities?

There are a number of ways in which you can help to prevent including proper nutrition, oral hygiene and more!

Proper Nutrition

– Curb your nutrition to consume less simple sugars (sucrose or table sugar)

Good Oral Hygiene

– Ensure you have a good and thorough oral hygiene routine, which includes brushing your teeth frequently and. If you cannot brush and floss immediately after a meal, try chewing self-cleaning foods at the end of the meal, such as: apples and celery; chewing sugarless gum for a few minutes or rinsing your mouth with water for 30 seconds.

Eat Less Snacks

– Every snack is followed by an “acid attack” on the teeth. Therefore, snacking all day causes the teeth to be bathed in acid continuously. If you would like to get down to the root of your dental hygiene or issues, feel free to contact our office to set up an appointment!