Cavities are areas in your teeth that have been damaged, and once they reach a certain size, they can start to get bigger and create openings or holes. There are many different factors that contribute to the development of a dental cavity, the most prominent ones being bacteria in your mouth and frequent snacking. One of the main causes of dental cavities is often due to drinking sugary drinks and not cleaning your teeth well.
A) Dental cavities are caused by two things: bacteria in our mouths (commonly stemming from food remnants left on our teeth), as well as sugar consumption–particularly when it comes to consuming sugary foods and drinks like soda without brushing immediately afterwards.
B) The reason for this is because sugar is a natural preservative for bacteria, meaning that when it mixes with saliva in our mouths and creates plaque on our teeth–a substance that scientists call “dental biofilm”–the bacteria are able to thrive.
C) The frequency of these two factors coming together combined with genetics also play into the development of dental cavities: if you have poor oral hygiene habits or your mouth`s immune system isn`t as strong due to any number of reasons (usually genetic), then you may be more susceptible to this type of problem.
D) Dental cavities can take up several years before they`re noticeable enough for people to notice them visually; however, one way we`ve found out that something could be wrong is by taking X-rays of a patient`s mouth and seeing the tooth in question.
E) Once this type of cavity starts to form, it can quickly progress until it forms larger holes that require filling–or even extraction if they are too big for traditional fillings.
F) Some other symptoms you may notice include: pain as well as sensitivity while eating or drinking hot/cold foods; changes in gum tissue around the affected teeth; receding gums; increased saliva production (known medically as “ptyalism”); bad breath due to bacteria from your mouth coming out through small openings on the surface of your teeth called “fissures.”
G) We recommend patients go into see their dentist regularly so we can monitor any cavities early, and to brush their teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste for two minutes, floss daily, go in for professional cleanings every six months or so, and refrain from consuming sugary foods.
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