What causes tooth decay (cavities)?
This is a very simplified version: We all have bacteria living in our mouths (as well as the rest of our body) . When we eat food, the bacteria eat as well. Since bacteria are simple animals, like humans, they pass gas (bad breath), and pee (acids). The acids soften tooth enamel and make it easier for the bacteria to move inside your tooth, therefore causing a cavity. If the cavity is not noticed early, the bacteria continue to soften the tooth and move further inside the tooth through enamel, dentin and then move into the pulp (nerve). The bacteria multiply during this entire process. If the bacteria reach the nerve and continue multiplying inside the nerve space, this is when severe pain can occur. If this pain is ignored , the bacteria can then spread into the soft tissue (gums or cheeks) and cause an abcess or cellulitis (cheek swelling). Sometimes teeth with cavities that are not in the nerve can hurt also. Many times though, the pain is from food impacted (caught) in-between the
Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting from the interaction of bacteria (which naturally occur on the teeth) and carbohydrate (sugars) in the everyday diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the mineral in teeth, forming a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of filling materials, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. Nerve damage can result from severe decay and may require a root canal and a crown (a crown is a complete covering for the tooth, “capping” it, making it stronger). Avoiding decay simply requires a strict adherence to a good dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental checkups, diet control and fluoride treatment. Practicing good hygiene avoids unhealthy teeth and costly treatment.
