Cavities and Tooth Decay Explained and What You Can Do About It

Nov 8
08:09

2011

Tom Walsh

Tom Walsh

  • Share this article on Facebook
  • Share this article on Twitter
  • Share this article on Linkedin

Tooth decay causes cavities which are basically holes in the teeth and this is a very common dental disease which can affect anyone. This article will...

mediaimage

Tooth decay causes cavities which are basically holes in the teeth and this is a very common dental disease which can affect anyone. This article will explain how tooth decay happens as well as provide information on how you can stop tooth decay.

Your mouth,Cavities and Tooth Decay Explained and What You Can Do About It Articles given the right conditions can be the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and these bacteria will hide in the grooves of your tongue and in between your teeth especially where food might get stuck. Sometimes you can see the bacteria just above the gum line, it's a sticky substance known as plaque. The waste product from all this bacteria is acid and this is what causes erosion of the tooth enamel and ultimately cavities.

Some teeth, depending on where they are positioned in the mouth or what shape they are, are more susceptible to cavities than others. For instance a tooth right at the back of the mouth might be a little tricky to reach with your toothbrush and doesn't get cleaned properly; it's this type of tooth which would have a high chance of tooth decay and cavities.

The good news is that your body is constantly aiding in neutralizing the acid threat from bacteria and this is done with the help of your saliva. Saliva contains properties which neutralize acid but it also contains minerals which inhibit bacteria growth and help repair damaged teeth.

In order to win the battle against tooth decay there are a few things we can do to severely boost our chances in winning. These are brushing regularly with a good soft toothbrush which is comfortable to hold and which has a small enough brush head so that every surface of every tooth can be brushed properly and easily. Secondly, flossing between the teeth will help to remove the bacteria and debris from between the teeth and this should be done at least once a day. Cutting down of foods which have a detrimental effect on the teeth will also help so try to cut out sugary foods and drinks as much as possible and try healthier alternatives instead.

On top of the advice above, make sure to visit your dentist on a regular basis to ensure your oral hygiene regime is good. If there is a problem, your dentist will spot it early and be able to correct it easily. You should visit your dentist at least twice yearly and by doing this and following the tips outlined above you can be sure that tooth decay isn't something you have to worry about.

Article "tagged" as:

Categories: