Ideally, keeping healthy teeth and gums is the goal. Not having consistent and healthy oral health habits can result in cavities, also known as tooth decay, though there are many contributing factors. Cavities are damaged areas on the hard surface of your teeth that can lead to pain and more serious oral health issues if not treated. Tooth decay (cavities) is one of the most common health problems and can affect people at any age. Consistent brushing and flossing habits, as well as regular visits to your dentist, are your best protection, prevention and correction of tooth decay and cavities.
How Cavities Form
Tooth decay is a process that occurs over time and results in cavities. The process of tooth decay starts with plaque forming. Dental plaque is a clear sticky film that covers the teeth. Plaque is formed from sugars and starches that do not get cleaned from your mouth through consistent oral care. Plaque can turn into tartar, also known as calculus, which can make plaque more difficult to remove and create a shield of bacteria. The acid in plaque weakens your outer tooth enamel causing holes resulting in the first stage of cavities. Bacteria can then eat away to the next layer of the tooth called dentin which has tubes connected to the nerves of your tooth. As your cavities develop, acid and bacteria are able to reach the inner tooth which contains blood vessels and nerves, resulting in pain.
We hope it doesn’t get to this point but if it does it is definitely time to give our office a call and come in to see Dr. Spear.
Do You Have A Cavity?
There are many signs and symptoms that indicate tooth decay and they vary depending on severity and location in the mouth. Sometimes there may be a cavity without any symptoms and that is why regular visits to the dentist are so important. The sooner a cavity can be treated the more likely it is that the tooth can be preserved and that you can avoid more serious problems. Some more obvious symptoms include any kind of pain in the tooth with no obvious cause, tooth sensitivity to hot, cold or food, visible holes in the tooth, discoloration of the tooth (brown, black or even white).
Who Is At Risk Of Getting Cavities?
This answer is quite simple. EVERYONE. Though there are actions that you can take in order to protect your teeth and gums. Here are some tips to prevent tooth decay:
- Be sure to brush your back molars very thoroughly. This is the most common area for cavities and decay to form.
- Regulate your intake of certain foods that are sticky like hard candy, soda, cookies, cake, dry cereal, and chips.
- Be sure to get your fluoride. This is a naturally occurring mineral that helps protect your teeth.
- Snack less or brush more. If you are a grazer be sure to brush more often to remove the potential plaque caused by ingesting food.
- Be aware of your saliva production because saliva helps prevent tooth decay by washing away plaque and food from your teeth. If you experience dry mouth for medical reasons be sure you are compensating in some way to help to protect your teeth.
- Have your dentist check your dental hardware (orthodontic appliances, crowns, etc.) at each visit to ensure that plaque is not building up on it.
- Regular brushing and flossing may seem obvious but now that you understand how cavities are formed you can better understand why consistent oral health is so important.
- Visit your dentist two times per year to ensure you know what the state of your teeth is and keep them in good condition.
- Eat foods that are healthy for your teeth like fresh fruits and vegetables which increase saliva flow; and, unsweetened coffee, tea and sugar-free gum help wash away food particles.
If you have any questions or concerns about your teeth, gums or oral hygiene our team is here to help. We are located in the Park Hill area in Fort Worth near the Texas Christian University campus and Fort Worth Zoo. There is always a solution and we are here to help you love your smile!