10 Facts Everyone Should Know about Cavities
Disclaimer: Not medical or professional advice. Always seek the advice of your physician.
The development of cavities is the reason for more than 70% of dental appointments. We have collected ten useful facts that you should know about this disease.
Fact #1. Tooth Cavities are Caused by Bacteria Living in the Mouth
Plaque is a sticky film that forms on the teeth and contains bacteria. Oral bacteria digest carbohydrates we eat. During the digestion process, they release acid that destroys the enamel of the teeth. However, the acid itself is not the cause of cavities. The risk factors include the thickness of the enamel, the amount of saliva produced in the mouth (it neutralizes acid), dietary habits, and the quality of personal hygiene.
For example, a person who loves sweets and brushes his teeth properly may not experience cavities for years.
Fact #2. Almost Every Person in the World has Cavities
Cavities are the second most common disease in the world. It comes in second after common flu based on the number of patients. At the same time, the risks of developing cavities increase with age. According to the US National Institute of Dental Research, on average 60% of children and 90% of adults require cavity treatment. 93% of seniors 65 and older have had dental caries at some point in their lives.
This phenomenon is easy to explain. Tooth enamel wears away, enabling microbes to destroy it with age. Besides, the production of saliva, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria, tends to decrease in older people.
Fact #3. Cavities affect not only Teeth but the whole Body
Over time, harmful bacteria can penetrate periodontal tissue that surrounds the tooth root. After that, they enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. For example, studies show the connection of periodontal diseases with the development of cardiovascular disorders, chronic bronchitis, and a number of cancerous tumors. In childhood, dental caries can lead to problems with nutrition, child growth, the eruption of permanent teeth, and the development of the speech apparatus.
Fact #4. The Dental Cavity cannot Heal on its Own
Dentists are often confronted with the popular belief that teeth are bones. Teeth and bones are tissues of the human body that have high strength. Also, they are white in color and their similarities end here. It may sound surprising, but teeth are more like skin tissue than bones. The reason is their structure and composition. The hard tissues of the teeth contain no living cells. Therefore, if a cavity appears in the tooth, then it will not fill up on its own.
You should visit your dentist to stop further tooth decay. The doctor will remove affected tissues, disinfect the cavity and fill it with special material. The filling will take over the protective function instead of the damaged enamel area.
Fact #5. You may not Experience any Symptoms in the Early Stages of Cavities
Since the enamel has no nerve endings, the process is painless. The first unpleasant sensations appear when microbes get to the dentin lying under the enamel. It is permeated by the dentinal tubules, which are connected to the neurovascular bundle of the tooth. When a person eats hard, sour, sweet, or hot food, the pressure in the tubules builds up, resulting in tooth pain. But it goes away as soon as you stop chewing.
When the dentin is destroyed, the cavity can grow deeper and reach the neurovascular bundle. Tooth pain becomes acute and spontaneous. At this stage, the cavity turns into a complication called pulpits. Unlike the early stages of the disease, it requires complex treatment and root canal filling.
Only a dentist can help to identify the early stages of cavity formation. Therefore, regular dental visits are essential.
Fact #6. Cavities are most likely to affect the Chewing and Proximal Surfaces of the Teeth
The chewing surfaces of the teeth are covered with numerous pits and grooves that are hard to clean with a toothbrush. Besides, toothbrush bristles cannot reach interdental spaces. They can only be cleaned with dental floss and interdental brushes. The problem is that only a small minority of people regularly use these devices.
Fact #7. Soft Drinks Provoke Extensive Tooth Damage
Dentists claim that patients who drink 3 or more glasses of soft drinks a day have about 60% of teeth affected by cavities. Doctors have coined the name “Mountain Dew Mouth” to describe this phenomenon. The reason for the significant dental damage lies in the composition of carbonated drinks. First, they contain a lot of sugar, which deposits on the teeth and stimulates the growth of harmful bacteria. For example, there are 2 tablespoons of sugar in one can of Coke. Moreover, carbonated drinks contain a lot of acids that directly erode the enamel. Pure lemon juice or table vinegar has a similar effect on teeth.
Fact #8. The Most Effective Way to Prevent Cavities is Daily Oral Hygiene
It is important not only to brush your teeth twice a day but also to brush them properly. The American Dental Association has compiled a list of oral care recommendations.
- Use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Hold your brush at a 45-degree angle against your gum line. Gently brush from where the tooth and gum meet to the chewing surface. To clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth, tilt the brush vertically and make several up-and-down strokes with the tip of the brush. Proper brushing takes at least two minutes. Change your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
- Brush your tongue to remove bacteria and freshen your breath.
- Clean the interdental spaces with dental floss and interdental brushes.
- Use an irrigator, especially if you are wearing orthodontic appliances.
- Visit your dentist regularly and get dental hygiene treatment. The number of visits can only be determined by the doctor.
- Limit the intake of sweet and sour foods. Save them for special occasions.
Fact #9. The Size of the Cavity does not Define its Extent
Even the smallest hole in a tooth can hide a deep carious lesion. Enamel can show no signs as it breaks down more slowly than the soft tissues underneath. Therefore, the cavity on the cut of the tooth has the shape of a trapezoid, which widens at the base of the tooth.
Fact #10: Chewing Gum for the First 10 Minutes after Meals can Prevent Cavities
Chewing gum can help remove food debris from hard-to-reach areas. The process of chewing increases saliva production by 11 times. A large amount of saliva protects tooth enamel from the negative effects of bacteria.
The most important requirement for chewing gum is xylitol. It is a sugar substitute, which is safe for the tooth surface. Xylitol has an anti-cariogenic effect. Another essential ingredient in chewing gum is mannitol. It activates the work of the salivary glands and increases salivary secretion.