It’s normal to crave candies and sugary foods occasionally. The problem lies in cases where we consume them in copious amounts, increasing our risk of getting cavities.
Following the intake of these foods, the bacteria in the mouth turn the sugar into acid-containing plaque that sticks to the teeth. These plaques damage the enamel due to their acidic nature. Since the enamel is the primary protective layer of the teeth, its damage will potentially cause tooth decay, otherwise known as a cavity or dental caries.
Apart from cavities, poorly aligned teeth—which you can easily correct with transparent teeth aligners—are another prevalent dental concern. While everyone is continually at risk of developing cavities, people who brush their teeth regularly have a significantly lower risk. Want to know more about cavities? Read on!
What Causes Cavities?
Cavities start as small holes, commonly at the back of the teeth, close to the gum line, pit, and grooves of the teeth and any part that’s chipped. These areas trap food particles and are difficult to reach when brushing your teeth or flossing. Aside from these possible factors of tooth decay, others include:
Poor Eating Habits
An unhealthy eating habit of nutrient-deficient foods can pose severe risks to oral health. Practices such as self-starvation or an unbalanced diet can lead to calcium deficiency, essential for building strong bones and teeth. Reduced amounts of calcium will damage the tooth structure, and they might even fall out.
Acid Reflux
Overeating and some other conditions like the Zollinger-Ellison syndrome can result in the production of excess amounts of acid in the stomach. When this acid erodes the esophagus, it causes heartburn; it quickly wears down tooth enamel and destroys the teeth when it gets to the mouth. Damage to the enamel increases the risk of tooth decay, cavities, and discoloration.
Mouth Dryness
Dry mouth is the common name for a medical condition called xerostomia. Notably, vomiting may also cause dry mouth since it may prompt swollen salivary glands, which subsequently causes reduced saliva production. The absence of saliva, essential for washing away food debris left after eating, causes food to get stuck to the teeth, leading to tooth decay and cavities.
Fluoride Deficiency
Fluoride is an essential mineral for maintaining oral health. Its deficiency is a common cause of cavities due to the weakening of tooth enamel. Low fluoride allows bacteria to thrive, producing acid that wears away the tooth enamel.
How to Prevent Cavities
Tooth cavities are a significant threat to your oral health. While no one is entirely safe from it, you can reduce their chances of occurring when you adhere to the following suggestions.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
Simple practices like regularly brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing at least once a day can help you avoid getting cavities. Also, because these bacteria thrive on sugary foods, eating smaller amounts and limiting their intake between meals is a good idea.
Improve Your Diet
Just as a poor diet can cause you to develop cavities, there are some foods that you can eat to stave off holes in your teeth. For example, adding fiber-rich fruits and vegetables and foods that are high in fluoride (e.g., fluoridated drinking water and seafood) to your diet will improve your oral health. Also, consuming green tea limits the growth of bacteria that destroys teeth.
Take Your Dentist Visits Seriously
Most individuals go to the dentist only when their cavities become very bad or during a severe gum infection. It’s, however, wise to schedule an appointment with a dentist at least twice a year for regular teeth examination and cleaning. Checkups will help you prevent any future dental problems.
Solutions for Cavities
Regular checkups can quickly identify cavities and treat them before any troubling symptoms arise. So the solution or treatment largely depends on how early you detect it.
If you can treat it before it starts to cause you any pain, you may not need comprehensive dental treatment. Nonetheless, here are some treatment options for cavities:
Use of Fluoride at an Early Stage
Utilizing fluoride treatment should restore enamel in no time, reversing the cavity. This treatment might involve brushing your teeth with liquid, gel, or foam solutions with a higher fluoride content than regular toothpaste or tap water. Fluoride treatment with a small tray containing liquid or gel that fits over your teeth is also effective against cavities.
The Use of Fillings to Close Cavity
Fillings are the primary treatment for cavities. It involves using tooth-colored resins or dental amalgam to restore the teeth. This method is usually carried out when decay progresses beyond the early stage.
Custom Crowns and Root Canals
Cavities, when ignored or left untreated for prolonged periods, may cause extensive decay that affects the pulp of the teeth or the crown. In such cases, a filling won’t do the trick; instead, your best bet will be to have a dentist remove the decayed teeth portion and replace it with a custom-fit crown or root canal.
Teeth Extraction
This is the only option for a tooth that’s beyond restoration. Removal of the youth will save you from extensive damage and leave a gap for your other teeth. If having a space between your teeth bugs you, you can consider dental implants.
Wrap Up
Cavities are preventable when you stick to certain practices like maintaining good hygiene and regular dental checkups. However, in cases where you have a severe cavity, it’s best to contact a dentist for the best options.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the signs and symptoms of cavities?
These may vary depending on how severe the tooth decay is. The most obvious or easily detectable ones are tooth pain, visible holes in the teeth, very sensitive teeth, or a black or white stain noticeable on the teeth.
How can I manage the pain from my cavity?
Cavities and tooth decay cause a lot of pain, especially when left untreated. To soothe the pain, you must avoid excessively hot or cold foods, maintain good oral hygiene, and use some painkillers in cases where the pain becomes unbearable. In addition, use toothpaste designed for sensitive teeth and brush lightly with warm water.
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