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Causes of Tooth Decay Teeth are primarily made up of four main tissues, namely enamel, dentin, cementum and dental pulp. Tooth decay is a disease, scientifically known as dental caries or dental cavity, which essentially weakens the tissue structure causing “holes”. The disease causes pain and tooth loss, and is infectious. Primary Causes: * Dental caries results due to fermentable carbohydrates, in the presence of which cavity causing bacteria (Lactobacillus species, Streptococcus mutans, and Actinomynes species) produce acid over time on the tooth surface. Since most of the enamel coating is mineral based, in presence of acid it dissolves easily, corroding the teeth. Basically, food containing carbohydrates break down into simple sugar compounds like glucose and sucrose. This becomes a breeding ground for these bacteria, which feed on this sugar and produce acids that corrode the teeth. * Plaque is a colorless biofilm wholly consisting of bacteria, naturally present in the teeth cavity. Usually it is harmless, and regular brushing of teeth keeps it to a minimum. But if they are allowed to accumulate, then in the presence of food (mainly sugar compounds) they form acid that is corrosive to teeth enamel. Accumulation of plaque leads to formation of tartar. Dentists offer the facility of regular removal of tartar. Plaque leads to gum diseases like gingivitis, yellowness, and loss of teeth. Many a times one experiences chips of the tartar layer coming off. When the tartar chips away in this manner it takes away a considerable amount of the enamel coating of the teeth. Since the enamel layer protects the roots of the teeth, once this protection is lost, the teeth become sensitive to extremes of hot, cold, sweet, and sour food. * Every time we eat a meal, particles of food remain stuck to our teeth cavity even after washing the mouth with plain water. Usually, we are taught to brush our teeth twice daily: once after waking up in the morning, and the second time before going to bed after dinner. But nowadays dentists advise everyone to brush their teeth after every meal to avoid the collection of food particles and tartar completely. Doing this also prevents heart disease. * Smoking harms teeth more than tartar. The tobacco contains high concentrations of nicotine. When this nicotine mixes with the saliva and forms the spit, this solution stains the teeth surface and corrodes the enamel exactly like plaque does. Over time, this nicotine pigmentation causes tooth loss, staining of teeth surface, loss of enamel coating, bad breath, and of course its usual harm to the lungs. * All forms of alcohol contain high concentrations of sugar. This is the main reason for their harmfulness to teeth. The sugar content in them reacts with the acid producing bacteria of the teeth leading to dental caries. * Patients suffering from diabetes already have high sugar content in their body. Consequently, diabetic patients suffer more severely of tooth decay than others. Hence, carrying forward from the previous point, they are advised against alcohol consumption. |
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2010-03-09T10:08:25+00:00 Harbor City - Los Angeles, California. |
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