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Cavities
Bacteria and the presence of sugars or acids cause tooth decay. One kind of bacteria eats sugars which produces an acidic environment for another bacteria to produce more acid that demineralizes or softens the teeth. This is why acid contained in “diet” soda can lead to tooth decay! Over time, the bacteria demineralization can cause a hole, or cavity in your tooth.
Over time, your own saliva will return your mouth to a neutral pH in a clean environment. That is why brushing and flossing to remove the bacteria and sugars from your mouth can arrest the demineralization and prevent the formation of cavities.
Every time you eat, your mouth becomes acidic and promotes the formation of cavities. That is why the timing of what you eat is almost as important as what you eat. Patients who frequently get tooth decay should have a complimentary diet analysis to pinpoint the cause of their tooth decay. Cavities that are not treated will get worse over time as their rough surface traps bacteria and causes tooth decay to get worse.
Most times, cavities are treated with fillings. Fillings are placed in the mouth by removing the decayed tooth structure, then filling the space with some durable material such as an amalgam (silver filling) or a composite (tooth colored filling). Very large cavities, or cavities that cause extreme pain and sensitivity may require root canal treatment. This is necessary when bacteria from the cavity reach the pulp (center) of the tooth where the blood vessels and nerves are found.
Fluoride makes teeth resistant to the acids that dissolve teeth. Fluoride treatments are not just for children, but are for anybody experiencing active decay, exposed roots from periodontal disease (because they are more vulnerable to cavities), and patients with many restorations in their mouth.
