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Tooth Decay:
Why is oral health important?What are common mouth infections?
How do common mouth infections happen?
How do mouth germs cause problems?
What causes tooth decay?
How can I tell if I have tooth decay?
How is my diet important in tooth decay?
Do cavities run in families?
Why do some people not get tooth decay?
How can I protect my teeth from decay?
The health of your mouth is as important as the health of any other part of your body.
The most common of all health problems are mouth infections and dry mouth.
The health of your teeth and gums affects your daily comfort, nutrition, self-esteem, and appearance.
Mouth infections increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, ulcers, and other health problems.
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What are common mouth infections?
The most common oral infections are tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontitis, and oral malodor.
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How do common mouth infections happen?
There are more germs (over 300 kinds) in your mouth than in any other part of your body.
The lack of good oral hygiene habits allows harmful germs to multiply and cause mouth infections.
Some chronic medical problems such as diabetes, leukemia, and other infections increase the severity
of mouth infections and make it easier for mouth problems to happen. Some mouth infections make it
easier for chronic illness to happen.
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How do mouth germs cause problems?
There are millions of germs (bacteria) and viruses in your mouth.
A few specific germs cause mouth problems. Plaque is a clear, white, or yellowish
film that grows on your teeth. Plaque is made of germs, byproducts of foods broken
down by germs, and the normal breakdown of the soft tissues of your mouth.
In the morning, you can feel plaque on your teeth. Immediately after mouth cleaning,
plaque starts growing. Certain harmful germs grow in the plaque and break down sugars
and starches into acids and toxins. It is these acids and toxins that cause dental caries,
gingivitis, periodontitis and malodor.
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What causes tooth decay?
Certain germs use sugars and starches to produce a sticky film (plaque) on your teeth.
These germs also grow in this film and break down sugars and starches into acids that cause tooth decay.
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How can I tell if I have tooth decay?
Tooth decay actually starts below the surface of the tooth enamel
(hard outer surface of teeth). The first sign of decay is a white or yellow stain
on the tooth around the gum line or on the chewing surface of the back teeth.
In between your teeth, decay can start before you can see it.
Children, adolescents, and young adults tend to suffer cavities of the crown of their teeth.
The elderly, the disabled, and people who suffer chronic illness may also suffer cavities
of the roots of their teeth.
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How is my diet important in tooth decay?
Excessive sugars and cooked starches in your diet is not good nutrition.
The frequency (i.e. how often) you eat these foods is the most important factor
for tooth decay to happen. It is important to read the labels on foods.
Different terms are used for sugars such as glucose, sucrose, dextrose,
and fructose. Cooked starches include pasta, white breads, and potato chips.
Foods that are sticky and soft stay on the teeth longer and will help tooth decay happen.
Meats, fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads are better for your health.
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Do cavities run in families?
Yes. What is really happening is harmful dietary habits,
lack of good oral daily self-care, and lack of regular dental visits are
behaviors that we see in families with tooth decay. For most of us, tooth
decay relates to our daily dietary habits: how often we eat harmful foods
over an entire day, week, or month, the physical form (i.e. stickiness) of
these foods, attention to daily oral cleaning, and regular dental visits.
You can have clean teeth and gums but still get tooth decay. Preventing tooth
decay begins with eating a well balanced diet, drinking water throughout the day,
and good oral hygiene.
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Why do some people not get tooth decay?
Some people hardly ever get a common cold. The same goes for tooth decay.
A few people have protective factors in their saliva that helps fight decay and there may be
small differences in the enamel that help, too. Growing up with fluoridated water or fluoride
vitamins and using fluoride toothpaste also helps. However, you will find most people who do
not get tooth decay take good care of their teeth, limit harmful foods, and see their dentist
regularly. Each of us has a risk for decay that is dependent on many factors. Most factors are
under your control. Researchers are trying to duplicate the protective factors in saliva by
producing a vaccine or protective pill.
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How can I protect my teeth from decay?
Have a well balanced diet, clean teeth, use fluoride toothpaste, have
regular dental check ups and consider sealants.
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