The Tooth Decay Process: How to
Reverse It and Avoid a Cavity
You probably know that a
dental cavity is a hole in a tooth. But did you know that a cavity is the
result of the tooth decay process that happens over time? Did you know that you
can interrupt and even reverse this process to avoid a cavity?
This page explains how the
tooth decay process starts and how it can be stopped or even reversed to keep
your child from getting cavities.
Our mouths are full of
bacteria. Hundreds of different types live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other
places in our mouths. Some bacteria are helpful. But some can
be harmful such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process.
Tooth decay is the result of
an infection with certain types of bacteria that use sugars in food to make
acids. Over time, these acids can make a cavity in the tooth.
Throughout the day, a tug of
war takes place inside our mouths.
On one team are dental
plaque—a sticky, colorless film of bacteria—plus foods and drinks that contain
sugar or starch (such as milk, bread, cookies, candy, soda, juice, and many
others). Whenever we eat or drink something that contains sugar or starch, the
bacteria use them to produce acids. These acids begin to eat away at the
tooth's hard outer surface, or enamel.
.
On the other team are the
minerals in our saliva (such as calcium and phosphate) plus fluoride from
toothpaste, water, and other sources. This team helps enamel repair itself by
replacing minerals lost during an "acid attack."
Our teeth go through this
natural process of losing minerals and regaining minerals all day long.
When a tooth is exposed to
acid frequently -- for example, if you eat or drink often, especially foods or
drinks containing sugar and starches -- the repeated cycles of acid attacks
cause the enamel to continue to lose minerals. A white spot may appear where
minerals have been lost. This is a sign of early decay.
Tooth decay can be stopped or
reversed at this point. Enamel can repair itself by using minerals from saliva,
and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources.
But if the tooth decay process
continues, more minerals are lost. Over time, the enamel is weakened and
destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to
repair with a filling.
From: National
Institute for Dental and Craniofacial Research http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/OralHealth/OralHealthInformation/ChildrensOralHealth/ToothDecayProcess.htm
Group A
Cavity. That's the word no one wants to
hear at the dentist's office. A cavity develops when a tooth decays or breaks down. A cavity is a hole that can
grow bigger and deeper over time. Cavities are also called dental caries, and
if you have a cavity, it's important to get it repaired.
But why
would your tooth develop a hole? Blame plaque. That's a sticky, slimy substance
made up mostly of the germs that cause tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouth
make acids and when plaque clings to your teeth, the acids can eat away at the
outermost layer of the tooth, called the enamel.
If you don't go to the dentist, the acids
can continue to make their way through the enamel, and the inside parts of your
tooth can begin to decay. If you've ever had a toothache or heard an adult
complain about one, it may have been because there was a cavity that reached
all the way inside a tooth, where the nerve endings are. Ouch!
Your dentist will
carefully examine your teeth and may take X-rays. If your dentist discovers a
cavity, he or she can repair it for you by first removing the rotted part of your
tooth with a special drill. The dentist then fills the hole in your tooth with
a special material. The result is called a filling.
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