Tooth Decay : A Preventable Disease 

What is tooth decay, and what cause it?

Tooth decay is the disease known as Caries , or a cavity. Unlike other diseases, however, caries is not life threatening and is highly preventable, though it affects most people to some degree during their lifetime. Tooth decay occurs when your teeth are frequently exposed to foods containing carbohydrates (starches and sugars) like soda pop, candy, ice cream, milk, cakes, and even fruits, vegetables and juices. Natural bacteria live in your mouth and form plaque. The bacterial plaque digests the sugary and starchy foods to produce acids. These acids damage tooth enamel over time by dissolving, or demineralizing, the mineral structure of teeth, producing tooth decay and weakening the teeth.

How are cavities prevented?

The acids formed by plaque can be counteracted by simple salvia in your mouth, which acts as a buffer and remineralizing agent. Dentists often recommend chewing sugarless gum to stimulate your flow of saliva. However, saliva alone is insufficient to combat tooth decay. The best way to prevent caries is to brush and floss regularly. To rebuild the early damage caused by plaque bacteria, we use fluoride, a natural substance which helps to remineralize the tooth structure. Fluoride is added to toothpaste to fight cavities and clean teeth. In the U.S. , the most common source of fluoride is in the drinking water. Fluoride is added to most community water supplies, but unfortunately this is not the case in Monroe due to misinformed local politicians. If you are at medium to high risk for cavities, your dentist may recommend special high concentration fluoride gels, mouth rinses, or dietary fluoride supplements. Your dentist may also use professional strength anti-cavity varnish, or sealants (thin plastic coatings that provide an extra barrier against food and debris).

Who is at risk for cavities?

Because we all carry bacteria in our mouths, everyone is at risk for cavities. Those with a diet high in carbohydrates and sugary foods and those who live in communities without fluoridated water are likely candidates for cavities. And because the area around a restored portion of a tooth is a good breeding ground for bacteria, those with a lot of fillings have a higher chance of developing tooth decay. Children and senior citizens are the two groups at highest risk.

What can I do to help protect my teeth?

The best way to combat cavities is to follow three simple steps:

• Cut down on sweets and between-meal snacks. Remember it's these sugary and starchy treats that put your teeth at extra risk.
  
  
• Brush after every meal and floss daily. Cavities most often begin in hard-to-clean areas between teeth and in the fissures and pits-the edges in the tooth crown and gaps between teeth. Hold the toothbrush at a 45 degree angle and brush inside, outside and between your teeth and on the top of your tongue. Be sure to replace an overused toothbrush. Only buy toothpaste and rinses that contain fluoride (antiseptic rinses also help remove plaque) and that bear the ADA seal of acceptance on the package. Children under six should only use a small pea-sized dab of toothpaste on the brush and should spit out as much as possible because a child's developing teeth are sensitive to higher fluoride levels. Finally, because caries is a transmittable disease, toothbrushes should never be shared, especially with your children.
  
  
• See your dentist at least every six months for checkups and professional cleanings. Because cavities can be difficult to detect, a thorough dental examination and x-rays are very important. If you get a painful toothache, if your teeth are very sensitive to hot or cold, or if you notice signs of decay (white spots, tooth discolorations or cavities), make an appointment right away. The longer you wait to treat infected teeth the more intensive and lengthy the treatment will be. Left neglected, cavities can lead to root canal infection, permanent deterioration of decayed tooth substance and even loss of the tooth itself.