Why do our tooth decay and how can we reverse it?
You may be aware
of the point that a dental cavity refers to a hole in a tooth. But did you know
that a cavity is the outcome of the tooth decay process that takes place over
time? Did you know that you can intrude and sometimes reverse this process to avert
a cavity?
What’s inside
our mouth?
Our mouths are
loaded with bacteria. Hundreds of various types live on our teeth, gums, tongue
and other regions in our mouths. Some bacteria are supportive. But some can be
damaging such as those that play a role in the tooth decay process.
Tooth decay is
the outcome of basically an infection with specific types of bacteria that
prefer sugars in food to prepare acids. Over a period of time, these acids can
result into a cavity in the tooth, says a reputed Horizon City TX dentist.
On one end,
there are dental plaque–sticky, colorless layer of bacteria–along with foods
and drinks that have sugar or starch. when we eat or drink foods that contains
sugar or starch, the bacteria employ them to produce acids. These acids start
to eat away at the tooth's hard outer surface, or enamel.
On the other side,
there are the minerals in our saliva (such as calcium and phosphate) along with
fluoride from toothpaste, water, and other things. These minerals promote
enamel repair itself by swapping minerals lost in case of an "acid
attack."
What causes
cavity?
When a tooth gets
exposed to acid more often -- for example, if you eat or drink often, particularly
foods or drinks having sugar and starches -- the recurrent cycles of acid bouts
make the enamel to continue to shed minerals. A white spot may begin to appear
where minerals have been missing. This is an indicator of early tooth decay.
What’s the
solution?
According to a
leading El Paso dental centre, fluoride can help a lot in preventing tooth
decay and replenish the loss of minerals.
Fluoride is known to protect teeth by..
- preventing mineral loss in tooth enamel and replacing lost minerals
- decreases the ability of bacteria to produce acid
If your Horizon City TX dentist thinks that you need more fluoride, he or she may -
- Use a fluoride gel or varnish to tooth shells
- Recommend fluoride tablets
- Recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse
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