Dental caries is the most common infectious disease in the world, affecting about 90% of population to some degree. Treatment methods vary depending on the type and severity of each case. Sometimes, in the very early stages, a simple topical fluoride application is good enough, whereas other times drilling and filling is the right choice, or, in the worst cases, extraction of the tooth.

What about the reasons for dental cavities? The story of dental cavities can be summarized as following: the acid-producing bacteria (which are part of our normal flora) colonize on the carbohydrates (from our food) that remain on the tooth surface due to bad oral hygiene. The acids produced by these bacteria cause tooth decalcification and then cavitation.  

So, there are three main reasons for dental cavities we have to deal with:

 

  • High-carbohydrate diet

 

Diet refers to the customary allowance of food and drink taken by any person from day to day. Simple carbohydrates are the main energy source for the oral bacteria. But there are some types of carbohydrates more important than others in the decay process. Simple sugars and starch are the two cavity-inducing types. Starch is the main component of foods like potatoes, sweet potatoes, and rice. Sugars can be found in foods like fruits, honey, sweets and milk.

When we talk about the diet, we need to talk about three factors: the amount, the consistency and the frequency.

The amount or the concentration of carbohydrates in meals: The higher the quantity of carbohydrates, especially sugars, the more bacterial acids are formed, and hence the more decalcification of tooth structure, leading to dental cavities.

The consistency of the foods: Sticky foods stay longer on the tooth surface, giving more time for bacteria to produce acids. That is why sticky foods are more harmful.

The frequency of meals: The saliva is the main natural line of defense against dental cavities.

– It washes the bacterial acids away from the tooth.

– It contains buffers to neutralize the acidic pH, so the decalcification is reduced.

– It contains elements like fluoride, calcium and phosphate which help in enamel recalcification.

So, decreasing the frequency of meals gives more time for saliva to repair the damage.

 

  • Poor oral hygiene

 

Ignoring oral hygiene measures like tooth brushing and flossing makes you susceptible to dental cavities. The bacteria colonize the tooth surface, where food remnants start the caries process.

 

  • Poorly-formed or arranged teeth

 

Sometimes the teeth have problems which make them more susceptible to dental cavities. Examples of these problems are:

Deep pits and fissures. These pits and fissures are usually found on the occlusal (biting) surface of the molars. They are too deep to be reached by the toothbrush. The food stagnates in these sheltered areas, and is consumed by the bacteria. So, if you have deep pits and fissures, ask your dentist to apply pit and fissure sealant.

Enamel hypoplasia and hypocalcification: These teeth appear to be pitted and brown in color. This poorly-formed enamel makes the teeth more susceptible to dental caries.

Tooth crowding: crowding makes it too difficult for a toothbrush to reach the whole tooth surface, allowing food stagnation in those inaccessible areas.

Contact a dentist or dental hygienist at Water Brook Dental in Washington DC for a dental check-up and other dental needs. Water Brook Dental has two locations in Washington DC. The Columbia Heights location is very  conveniently located to Downtown DC, Northeast DC, Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U-Street Corridor, Mount Pleasant and many other parts of Washington. The Eastern Ave NW location is conveniently located to Downtown Silver Spring, Takoma Park MD, Silver Spring MD, Colesville, and other parts of Maryland as well as Northern Virginia and other parts of Virginia.