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What
is a Cavity?
A
cavity is the destruction of the tooth enamel, dentin, cementum
and may involve the tooth pulp.
How
does a Cavity Form?
The
formation of a cavity is due to many factors. For example,
the tooth itself plays a role (how strong it is); the mouths
ability to cleanse itself (your flow of saliva); diet (frequency
and selection of sugary foods); the bacteria in your mouth
(good or bad); and the length of time the tooth is under
attack by the bacteria in your mouth.
Heredity:
may play a major role in how susceptible you are to the
formation of a cavity, for example: ·
- tooth
structure, size and shape of the tooth may be passed down
through generations. This includes deep pits and grooves which
are ideal "plaque traps", and therefore, are susceptible to
decay
- there
may be a higher risk of cavities forming if your parents also
had a large number of cavities
- teeth
that are malpositioned in the mouth, that are hard to access
with your toothbrush or floss may also provide an ideal breeding
ground for the bacterial dental plaque.
- the
absence of fluoride during tooth formation and following tooth
eruption can increase the incidence of cavities. fluoride
promotes strong tooth development and remineralization of
the tooth
Saliva: has a protective function in the mouth, for example:
- a good
flow of saliva washes away food and bacteria that sit on the
teeth and gum tissues
- salivary
flow helps to neutralize the acids produced by bacteria from
plaque, thus a good flow helps reduce the chances of a cavity
formation
Diet:
a well balanced diet from each of the four major food groups is
essential for your oral health, as well as, your overall health.
- avoid
frequent consumption of high sugar foods, especially sticky
foods
- the
longer the time the food stays on your teeth, the greater
the chance of forming a cavity. If you do have a sugary snack,
it's best to brush your teeth soon after
- select
between meal snacks that are low in sugar concentrations such
as white milk, fresh fruits, raw vegetables, dark breads and
whole grain and enriched cereals
- sugar
free candies, gum and other snacks are an option
Time:
the actual amount of sugar eaten in one sitting is not as important
as when and how often you choose a sugar containing food.
- the
consumption of high sugar foods is best if eaten with a regular
meal. This will confine the sugar exposure to one sitting.
It's best to eat the whole chocolate bar at once instead of
at different periods throughout the day.
Bacteria:
the mouth harbors many types of bacteria that are considered
to be normal in the human mouth.
-
bacteria,
in a healthy mouth tends to live in balance, but for reasons
yet to be truly identified, that balance can be tilted and
oral disease may result
Fluoride:
fluoride provides many benefits. It is found in many products
such as toothpaste, mouth rinse, fluoridated drinking water
and periodic topical fluoride treatments applied by your dental
professional.
-
it
aids in the development of sound enamel
-
it
helps reduce enamel solubility and increases enamel resistance
to acid attack
-
it
prevents demineralization (the white spot phase of the beginning
stages of a cavity)
-
it
enhances remineralization of beginning stages of a cavity.
Fluoride may arrest further development of a cavity by depositing
the fluoride mineral called fluoroapatite.
- Fluoride
used in addition to daily brushing and flossing helps to reduce
the chances of a cavity.
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