“What causes dental caries?”
I'm 31, and I have 2 caries right now. I'm usually pretty careful about consuming sugar, so I don't really get why I have them both. What causes dental caries to develop?
10 Answers
Bacteria living on your tooth surfaces where you are not removing the food well enough
Actually it is a simple equation: Food + bacteria (Strep Mutans) + tooth surface = dental caries
So, to control dental caries, brush your teeth and floss after eating (or chew xylitol gum), drink (fluoridated) water, choose foods that are lower in sugar (carbohydrates) and/or less retentive (sticky). Control the food (what you eat) and clean the surface (remove the bacteria), drink fluoridated water and use fluoridated toothpaste.
So, to control dental caries, brush your teeth and floss after eating (or chew xylitol gum), drink (fluoridated) water, choose foods that are lower in sugar (carbohydrates) and/or less retentive (sticky). Control the food (what you eat) and clean the surface (remove the bacteria), drink fluoridated water and use fluoridated toothpaste.
Sugar
Sugar plus bacteria in your mouth can form acids that begin caries on your teeth.
Cavities or caries can be cause from not only sugars but also other foods like breads and other things that stick to your teeth. But what is really important is the ph of your mouth. When you snack a lot you reduce the ph of your mouth which causes an acidic environment. Brushing and reducing the snacking and drinking things other than water frequently throughout the day will help keep your mouth more basic and the environment will be more prone to cavities
I have heard this question many times. Sugar is only one factor and the bacterial film around the tooth is the other. Most young adults are now susceptible to cavities between the teeth because that bacterial film has been neglected for so long. Flossing is not a high priority for young adults but should be if you want to minimize these cavities.
Dental cavities are primarily caused by sugar. However, there are other factors that will come into play: oral hygiene, fluoride intake (toothpaste), quality of saliva, to name a few.
Carious lesions are infections caused by bacteria. Sugar is a food source for bacteria not the cause of the lesion.
When sugar or starches remain on the tooth, bacteria turns them into plaque. The plaque then turns into an acid that eats away enamel and causes tooth decay.
Sometimes cavities are caused because of enamel decalcifications.
Sometimes cavities are caused because of enamel decalcifications.
Your mouth has sugar in it. It will get on your teeth and POSSIBLY cause your tooth to decay. So, just brush twice a day with toothpaste and forget funny ideas. Don't be lazy - do it right.
