Tooth Decay: Why it happens

Tooth decay is defined as a disease process where a location on a tooth has lost so much of its mineral content that a hole (cavity) has formed. Knowing this, the next logical questions are: Why does this occur? What’s the process that causes tooth decay? Cavities form because of a process called demineralisation. Tooth decay formation takes place because of a process called demineralisation. The term “demineralisation” simply describes the fact that mineral content (like calcium compounds) have been dissolved out of a tooth’s hard tissues. Demineralisation takes place when a tooth is exposed to acids. It’s a slow process. One that takes place a little bit every time a tooth is subjected to another acid attack.

 

 

Where do the acids that cause tooth decay come from?

The acids that cause tooth demineralisation (cavity formation) are produced by specific types of bacteria that live in dental plaque (primarily lactobacilli and mutans streptococci.) Of course, these bacteria are living organisms, just like we are. And that means that just like when we eat and drink food, we create waste products. They do the same thing. And their waste products are the very same acidic compounds that cause tooth demineralisation.

 

 

What kinds of foods to these bacteria eat?

The bacteria that cause tooth decay consume sugars (glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, or cooked starches) as their primary food source. And the waste products that they create because they have consumed these sugars are the acids (primarily lactic acid) that cause the demineralisation of the tooth’s hard tissues.

Don’t forget that they live in our mouth and eat when we do. When we consume foods that contain sugars (such as soda, candy, milk, and even fruits and vegetables), they get a meal too. And within minutes, they start producing the acids that cause tooth decay. Factor associated with tooth decay formation:

When oral bacteria consume sugars, they start to produce the acids that cause tooth decay within minutes.

 

 

Cavity prevention suggestion :

The less sugar you consume, or the fewer number of times you eat sugary foods, or the less time you allow sugars to remain in your mouth, the less exposure your teeth will have to the acids produced by oral bacteria. As a solution: 

• Use artificial sweeteners rather than natural sugars.

• So to minimise how long sugars are allowed to remain in your mouth, brush and floss, or at least rinse, promptly after consuming foods.

• Don’t linger with snacking on, or sipping on, sugary foods and beverages. Eat or drink these items fairly quickly and be done with them. 

 

 

Dental plaque provides the home for  the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Everyone’s mouth is inhabited by bacteria. In fact, a single human mouth can contain more micro-organisms than there are people on planet Earth. Of course, you can’t sterilise your mouth. But you can minimise your potential for having tooth decay.  You do this by not allowing the bacteria that live in your mouth to form organised colonies. These bacterial colonies are referred to as “dental plaque.” Dental plaque provides the home for the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay.

Everyone’s mouth is inhabited by bacteria. In fact, a single human mouth can contain more micro-organisms than there are people on planet Earth. Of course, you can’t sterilise your mouth. But you can minimise your potential for having tooth decay. You do this by not allowing the bacteria that live in your mouth to form organised colonies. These bacterial colonies are referred to as “dental plaque.” 

 

 

Dental plaque formation is the problem

Dental plaque not only provides a home for oral bacteria but it also acts as a medium that holds the acid they produce directly against a tooth’s surface.