What Causes Tooth Decay?

A good dental checkup has always meant “no cavities!” A cavity, also known as tooth decay (or “dental caries,” if you’re in dental school) is a disease that occurs when tiny bacteria eat away the hard part of your tooth structure (enamel, dentin and cementum). Eventually the microscopic bacterial sugar bugs eat enough to create actual holes—dental cavities—in the teeth. Not good!

Don’t let cavities go unattended! Without proper dental treatment, the cavities are not only painful, but can lead to tooth loss, infection, and even death. If you do get a cavity, you’re not alone. Tooth decay is common throughout the world.

Causes of tooth decay

Tooth decay is caused by specific types of acid-producing bacteria, which cause damage in the presence of fermentable carbohydrates such as sucrose, fructose, and glucose.

Depending on the extent of tooth destruction, various treatments can be used to restore teeth to proper form, function, and aesthetics, but there is no known method to regenerate large amounts of tooth structure. Instead, dental health organizations advocate preventive and prophylactic measures, such as regular oral hygiene and dietary modifications, to avoid dental tooth decay.

Though more than 95% of trapped food is left packed between teeth after every meal or snack, over 80% of cavities develop inside pits and fissures in grooves on chewing surfaces where the brush cannot reach and there is no access for saliva and fluoride to neutralize acid and re-mineralize demineralized tooth. Few cavities occur where saliva has easy access.

Ready for a dental check up? Stop into my office and schedule an initial consultation with me, Dr. Kluss. Call (949) 496-4402 or click here to schedule an appointment. We’re located at 32282 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, CA 29675.