How Do Teeth Decay?
To understand what happens when your teeth decay, it’s helpful to know what’s in your mouth naturally. Here are a few of the elements: Saliva — Your mouth and teeth are constantly bathed in saliva. Although we never give much thought to our “spit,” this simple fluid is remarkable for what it does to help protect our oral health. Saliva keeps teeth and other oral tissues moist and lubricated, washes away some of the food particles left behind after we eat, keeps acid levels in the mouth low, and protects against some viruses and bacteria by carrying immunoglobulins and other substances important for immunity. Pellicle — Certain proteins in saliva (glycoproteins) are absorbed by the surface of our teeth. This creates a microscopically thin, clear coating on the teeth called “acquired pellicle.” The pellicle starts forming immediately after you brush your teeth, and, within a few minutes, you can feel that slippery, moist feeling on your teeth.
The better your understanding of the decay process, the better equipped you’ll be to maintain good dental health. Here’s a basic rundown of the tooth decay process, start to finish. Colonies of bacteria First of all, thousands of bacteria exist in your mouth. This is completely normal. In fact, most of these bacteria are beneficial. But there are a few bacteria that play a role in the decay process. One bacteria in particular, streptococcus mutans, is a primary culprit, reproducing quickly and setting up large colonies wherever they’re given the opportunity to feast on starchy foods. These starches, also known as carbohydrates and consisting of foods such as pasta, bread, crackers, and sweets, can build up on teeth if they aren’t brushed away regularly; this buildup is called plaque. Plaque is a sticky film that’s a mixture of saliva, food debris and bacteria, and it’s constantly forming on your teeth. Streptococcus mutans will eat any carbohydrate, but the starch it will eat most quic
