Prevention is the best weapon to avoid any ailment, and oral diseases are no exception. In this article we are going to see what problems dental cavities generate and how to prevent their appearance, but for this we must know what dental cavities are, why they appear and how a good prevention is vital to avoid suffering from this condition..

What are dental cavities

Tooth decay is one of the most common oral health problems in the world. They appear especially frequently in children, adolescents, but also in older adults and even infants.

If left untreated, cavities can spread and affect deeper layers of the teeth. They can lead to severe pain, infection and, in the most severe cases, tooth loss.

The best protective measures against tooth decay are regular dental visits and good brushing and flossing habits to avoid the main cause of tooth decay: plaque bacteria

Bacterial plaque. Enemy of the teeth

In our mouth, as in many other parts of our body, different types of bacteriadwell. When we eat, these bacteria join with the bacteria in the food we consume creating the bacterial plaque.

If we do not remove this plaque, it creates an acid that slowly attacks the dental tissues, destroying them, thus leading to the dreaded cavities or periodontitis or gum disease.

We can say, then, that caries are the breakage, of minor or greater size, that occurs in dental tissue due to the action of acids produced by bacterial plaque.

Main causes of dental caries:

There are different causes or risk factors that explain the appearance of caries in our mouth, among which we can highlight:

  • Inadequate oral hygiene: brushing teeth poorly, rarely, too little time or not making use of dental floss and rinses, are one of the most common causes of tooth decay.
  • The consumption of sugar and acidic foods: These foods increase the acidity of plaque and its destructive power.
  • Tooth location. Caries almost always appear in the back teeth (molars and premolars). These teeth have many grooves, pits, cracks and several roots that can accumulate food particles
  • Dry mouth: If saliva secretion is decreased will increase the risk of caries.
  • Genetics and oral Ph: These are difficult factors to control, both influence their occurrence and little can be done against them.
  • Lack of fluoride. Fluoride, a naturally occurring mineral, helps prevent cavities and can even reverse the early stages of dental damage.
  • Taking medication: Some preparations contain sugar and others cause dry mouth, both of which damage oral enamel.
  • Teeth close together or crooked: It causes dirt to accumulate and plaque to build up more easily.
  • Worn fillings or misaligned dental devices. Broken or rough-edged fillings allow plaque to build up more easily and make it harder to remove. Dental appliances can become misaligned, allowing cavities to begin to form underneath them.
  • Eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia can lead to dental erosion and tooth decay, which can cause tooth decay.
    Dra. Yasmin Raslan
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