March 19, 2007
What Causes a Cavity
Plaque, that whitish film on teeth that results when bacteria from eating, drinking and smoking, is the principal cause for tooth cavities.
Plaque that doesn't get washed away by saliva, brushed away by your toothbrush or removed by flossing produces acid that dissolves the minerals that make your tooth enamel hard.
Though the mineral salts in your saliva help add to the hardness of your teeth but are vulnerable to attack by acids that cause them to break down.
Tooth enamel is very hard, mainly because it contains durable mineral salts, like calcium, but when teeth are not professionally cleaned frequently enough, plaque builds up and eats tiny holes in tooth enamel until the enamel surface of the tooth becomes porous surface.
After a while, the acid from plaque makes the tiny holes in the enamel bigger until one large hole appears. This hole is a cavity, and unless it is professionally cleaned out and filled, the tooth will eventually decay completely.
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March 20, 2007
How to Prevent Cavities in Teenagers | cosmeticdentistryrichmond.com (Pingback)
[…] March 20, 2007How to Prevent Cavities in Teenagers Teenagers’ tendency toward poor oral hygiene and too many snack foods and soda drinks are two big reasons teenagers develop cavities. Snacks can create acids that damage the surface of tooth enamel. […]
May 1, 2007
Smooth-surface caries - One Type of Cavity Possible | richmondimplantdentist.com (Pingback)
[…] May 1, 2007Smooth-surface caries - One Type of Cavity Possible Generally there are two types of cavities, or caries: carious lesions found on the smooth surface of the tooth or those found in the pits and fissures of the tooth. […]
Acid Producing Bacteria Cause Dental Cavities « Smilefidence Cosmetic Dental Blog (Pingback)
[…] 1 May 2007 Acid Producing Bacteria Cause Dental Cavities Posted by staff under News and Advancements A cavity is formed when acids reside on thetooth’s surface which causes demineralization of the tooth’s surface. Eventually a hole or cavity is formed. The acids that cause demineralization or cavity formation are produced by bacteria that live in dental plaque. When we eat or drink, the process of digestion transforms sugars in our food and drink (such as soda, candy, milk and even fruits and vegetables) into the acids that create tooth decay within minutes. […]
Early Signs of Tooth Decay: Finding Cavities Early On | americansmilemakeovers.com (Pingback)
[…] May 1, 2007Early Signs of Tooth Decay: Finding Cavities Early On Tooth decay is a common problem, nearly as prevalent as the common cold. It has been estimated that nearly 90 percent of Americans have at least one cavity, and 75 percent have their first cavity by the age of five. People who eat a lot of starchy and sugary foods; people living in areas without a fluoride water supply; and, people who have numerous dental restorations such as fillings and crowns are at high risk for tooth decay. […]