Oral bacteria produce acids that wear away at the layers of your tooth.
A tooth is composed of three layers - the enamel (the tough outer layer), the dentin (the softer middle layer) and the pulp (the center where you can find the blood vessels and nerves). The acids eat away at a tooth one layer at a time. The damage becomes worse as the acids break into more layers.
Over time, the damage can result to a hole or cavity. If you do not address tooth decay immediately, it can result to tooth sensitivity and pain, infection and even the loss of your teeth.
What causes tooth decay?
You have bacteria in your mouth. These bacteria are always forming plaque, the clear and sticky substance, which stays in your gums and teeth. When you eat, you tend to retain some food particles in your mouth. The bacteria feed on the sugars in these particles, and produce acids. The acids eat away at a tooth, destroying the enamel and causing decay.
The following actions lead to tooth decay:
1. You are always eating foods rich in sugars and starch. The bacteria like to feed on these, and produce acids that destroy your teeth.
2. You do not brush or floss your teeth adequately. Food particles remain in your mouth for bacteria to feed on.
3. You lack fluoride. Fluoride strengthens your teeth, making them more resistant to decay. You can get fluoride from fluoridated water, as well as from toothpastes and mouthwashes where fluoride has been added.
4. You have dry mouth. You do not have enough saliva to wash away harmful sugars effectively. Age, the habit of breathing through the mouth, certain medications, and some health conditions like diabetes, Sjogren's syndrome or xerostomia can result in dry mouth.
5. You are a habitual smoker.
6. You fail to visit your dentist regularly for routine checkups and procedures like dental prophylaxis, scaling and root planing. These procedures, when done regularly, can help get rid of the plaque that builds up on your gums and teeth.
Tooth decay can affect babies and children, as well. If you give your toddler a bottle to take to bed with him, he is likely to get tooth decay from the sugar in the juice, formula or milk that you feed him. If your child is still growing his permanent teeth, his new teeth may not be as strong as yours. The minerals in his teeth may not effectively resist the acids that eat away at the teeth.
How do you know if you have tooth decay?
1. You notice spots on your teeth. These may be white, black, gray or brown.
2. Your tooth aches.
3. The gums near the sore tooth become inflamed. They tend to bleed easily.
4. You have bad breath. You have a bad acidic taste in your mouth.
Make it a point to visit your dentist at the first sign of tooth decay. The decay will progress if you do not get the necessary treatment for it. The cavity will get worse, and you run the risk of losing your tooth.