Anatomy of a Dental Cavity
There is alot going on in your mouth and dental cavities (tooth decay) can cause big problems for anyone with teeth. Damage, due to cavities, can be prevented in many cases, if a person has an understanding of just a very few basic concepts and takes action.
Most of the tooth above the gum line is covered in Enamel. Enamel has a 95% mineral content and is the hardest tissue in the human body. There is much more of the tooth below the gum line. It has roots, nerves and another tissue called Dentin. Dentin has 2/3 the mineral content of Enamel and is not as hard.
The acids that cause tooth decay (a cavity)come from specific types of bacteria that live in dental plaque. The bacteria combine with dietary sugars to attack the tooth Enamel. The decay eats away at the minerals (Enamel) on your tooth, until a hole (cavity) is formed. Dental plaque not only provides a home for oral bacteria. It also holds the acid , produced by the bacteria, directly against a tooth’s surface. The decay eats away at the Enamel on your tooth, until a hole (cavity) is formed.
Cavities don’t just form overnight. It usually takes months or even years for a cavity to form. There has to be both dental plaque and dietary sugars present for tooth decay formation to occur. These conditions are not always present, but each time they are, some tooth decay will occur. Over time there can be a point where the collective effect of each episode results in the formation of a cavity.
There are two time periods in life when we seem to have their greatest difficulty with the occurrence of tooth decay. They are childhood and adolescents and adulthood, including senior citizens.
During the childhood and adolescent years, it can be a time period when tooth decay is a problem for an individual. It is likely that these “cavity prone years” are at least partially associated with the fact that young people often maintain diets that are high in sugar consumption (candy, sodas, etc…). In addition, some young people tend to be less diligent with their brushing and flossing habits than they should be. The cleaner we keep our teeth and mouth, at any age, the better.
Because of the shape of a tooth, some portions of a tooth can be more at risk for the formation of tooth decay than others. Some back teeth (molars), can be especially difficult for a person to clean because of the grooves in the chewing portion of these teeth. These grooves are deep and narrow. Even though the person brushes, they may not able to clean plaque off effectively. The bristles of a toothbrush are usually too large to scrub the depths of these pits and grooves. Because some plaque perpetually remains, tooth decay can form.
A solution for this situation can be the use of dental sealants. When a dental professional bonds plastic sealant into and over the grooves of a tooth, it will make the surface flatter and smoother. There will no longer places that the bristles of a toothbrush can’t reach and clean. Since plaque can be removed more easily and effectively, there is much less chance that decay will start. Consult with your dentist to see if the use of dental sealants is advisable. You can also help to minimize your risk of tooth decay by promoting a non acid environment in your mouth. Limit the amount and frequency of sugars . Brush and floss regularly, to minimize the amount of dental plaque that is present. See your dental professional for regular exams.
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