How are cavities formed?
Dental cavities are one of the biggest threats to the integrity of your oral health. This is why good oral hygiene is instilled on us from the get-go, so that we may avoid further problems.
But this is something we often hear, yet rarely understand the progression of. How are cavities formed in the first place?
A lot of this has to do with what we eat, and how we take care of our oral health. When our diet is comprised of food and drinks containing a lot of sugar and starches, your teeth become highly exposed to acid. This acid reacts to the minerals that cover your tooth, that is, the enamel. Aside from this, a diet full of sugar and starches encourage bacteria formation inside the mouth. As the bacteria builds up, they form plaque and tartar.
These two are the common culprits of tooth decay. If a person has poor oral hygiene, the tartar and plaque eat the enamel away. Tiny holes are formed, and when they become larger, they become cavities.
Good oral hygiene is important in order to avoid this decay and cavitation. On top of this, regular visits to your dentist, Doc ET, will help diagnose, treat and give advice in order to preserve you and your family's healthy smile.
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