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Conditions |
Cavities (Tooth Decay)
 Although tooth decay has declined among young children
as a group, it can still be a problem for individual
children, and even teens and adults. That’s because
plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on
your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing
sugars or starches, the bacteria in plaque produce acids
that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque
keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and after
many such attacks, the enamel can break down and a
cavity forms.
Preventing Decay:
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Brush your teeth
twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
-
Clean between teeth
daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
-
Eat a balanced diet
and limit between-meal snacks.
-
Visit your dentist
regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
-
Ask your dentist
about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating
that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the
back teeth where decay often starts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is
Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is
a destruction of the tooth enamel.
It occurs when foods containing
carbohydrates (sugars and starches)
such as milk, pop, raisins, cakes or
candy are frequently left on the
teeth. Bacteria that live in the
mouth thrive on these foods,
producing acids as a result. Over a
period of time, these acids destroy
tooth enamel, resulting in tooth
decay.
How Do I
Prevent Tooth Decay?
You can help
prevent tooth decay by following
these tips:
-
Brush
twice a day with a fluoride
toothpaste.
-
Clean
between your teeth daily with
floss or interdental cleaner.
-
Eat
nutritious and balanced meals
and limit snacking.
-
Check
with your dentist about use of
supplemental fluoride, which
strengthens your teeth, and
about use of dental sealants (a
plastic protective coating)
applied to the chewing surfaces
of the back teeth to protect
them from decay.
-
Visit
your dentist regularly for
professional cleanings and oral
examination.
Aren't
Cavities Just Kid's Stuff?
No. Changes
that occur with aging make cavities
an adult problem, too. Recession of
the gums away from the teeth,
combined with an increased incidence
of periodontal (gum) disease, can
expose tooth roots to plaque. Tooth
roots are covered with cementum, a
softer tissue than enamel. They are
susceptible to decay and are more
sensitive to touch and to hot and
cold. The majority of people over
age 50 have tooth-root decay.
Decay around
the edges, or margins, of fillings
is also common to older adults.
Because many older adults lacked
benefits of fluoride and modern
preventive dental care when they
were growing up, they often have a
number of dental fillings. Over the
years, these fillings may weaken and
tend to fracture and leak around the
edges. Bacteria accumulate in these
tiny crevices causing acid to build
up which leads to decay.
Information provided
by the ADA, American Dental Association,
www.ada.org
Tooth image courtesy
of
wikipedia
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