How Cavities Form

Teeth help us break down food into smaller, digestible pieces so our body can absorb all the nutrients from it. Healthy and clean teeth can boost our confidence and make us look better. It is very important to take care of this important part of our body. Old habits die hard, so it is very beneficial in the long run to develop good habits from a very early age. In order to know everything about good dental hygiene, it is imperative to understand the structure of the teeth first. Our teeth are basically composed of four main layers or parts.

Enamel is the hard outermost layer covering the teeth. It protects dentine, which forms the bulk of the teeth and can be sensitive if the enamel is damaged. This layer gives our teeth the white color. If the enamel is damaged, our teeth become yellow due to the exposed dentin. It becomes very easy for bacteria to attack sensitive teeth which are not protected by enamel. They become very problematic and sudden temperature changes, sweets, acids or harsh chemicals can cause extreme pain. Regular and careful brushing, gargling and flossing are the only ways of warding off loss of enamel and possible infection.

When the infection penetrates the dentin it results in decay which is an extremely agonizing experience. The next layer is the pulp containing nerves and blood vessels for blood supply. It is because of this part due to which we feel pain and other sensations in our teeth. The last part is the cementum; a layer of bone-like tissue covering the root. Its primary function is to protect the root and secure the teeth in place.

Food and other organic particles get stuck between our teeth when we consume them. These particles can cause plaque, which is a layer of bacteria. It releases acids that cause cavities, bad breath, and even infection. In order to eliminate plaque before it starts to build, the teeth should be brushed twice a day. This helps to remove food particles and debris in the mouth. Along with that, dental floss must be used to remove particles stuck between the teeth. Hard brushing and gum infection can damage the cementum.

The type of food consumed also plays a major role in determining the fate of our teeth. For stronger teeth, calcium, phosphorus, and fluorine should be a part of the daily diet. Plaque is more likely to develop on residues left behind from eating foods rich in carbohydrates, starch, and sugar. Sticky foods are more difficult to get rid of so for the sake of dental health they should be avoided.

You should ideally brush at least twice but not more than three times a day and each session should last for at least two minutes. The brush should also be changed regularly. Most toothpastes contain fluoride which helps to prevent plaque and cavities. Make a habit of using mouth wash every day, it cleanses the whole mouth and prevents bad breath.

If the above measures are not followed properly it will almost certainly result in plaque, and ultimately a cavity. Cavities, in turn, can cause mild-to-sharp pain when eating cold, sweet or hot foods. If a cavity is in its initial stages it can be stopped or reversed by rubbing fluoride directly to the affected area. If the enamel is destroyed the only option is to either get a filling, root canal or permanent removal of the infected tooth.

When repairing a tooth the dentist will drill the decayed area out of the tooth and fill it with porcelain or silver amalgam material and sometimes cover it with a crown to prevent further infection. If a root canal is performed the dentist makes an incision near the top of the tooth and removes the decaying pulp from the chambers and canals inside the tooth. The dentist will then fill the tooth with a rubber-like material and sealing paste. It is always better to take preventative measures as prevention is always better than cure. In the end, a good dental hygiene regimen can save us from a lot of painful problems and boost our confidence.