Tooth decay
Plaque is one of the main causes of dental caries
Caries is the cavity that forms in the teeth. It is often the result of the accumulation of dental plaque. Plaque is a colorless, sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth. It is one of the main causes of dental caries.
It is because we want to remove plaque that we brush and floss our teeth every day. The bacteria in plaque react with the sugars in the foods we eat, producing acids that attack and weaken tooth enamel, the hard protective coating of our teeth.
Here is additional information from the Order of Dental Hygienists of Quebec
The main factors that contribute to the formation of cavities are:
- Poor dental hygiene
- Fluoride deficiency;
- A condition called xerostomia, or dry mouth, which is caused by insufficient production of saliva. (often related to taking medication)
- Dental malformations;
Tooth decay can cause:
- Bad breath
- From pain to cold, to sugar,…
- A dental infection
- Periodontal disease
- Swelling
Fortunately, there are several ways to prevent cavities from forming.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Use toothpaste containing fluoride which strengthens teeth and helps prevent cavities.
- Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss to remove plaque that your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Have a healthy diet and avoid sugary and acidic foods and drinks between meals; it’s better to have a big snack in 15 minutes than to munch on yourself all evening.
- Make regular appointments with the dentist for cleaning and follow-up examinations.
- Apply dental sealants to children as soon as permanent teeth appear in the mouth as protection.
- Remember to replace your toothbrush every three months or as soon as it shows signs of wear, as the newer the brush, the more plaque can be removed.
The effects of food intake frequency on dental caries
Your risk of cavities is very high if you are a person who sips sugary coffee or sips soft drinks throughout the day. Indeed, saliva takes 20 to 30 minutes after food intake before restoring a normal pH. With each sweet consumption, your salivary acidity level is constantly high… The ideal is to group our consumption in order to space out food intake and allow a normal salivary pH to be maintained. There are no good or bad teeth, only different contexts that affect teething.
Tooth decay in children
It is very important to repair a child’s tooth that has a cavity. Many people don’t see the point of fixing baby teeth, as they will eventually fall out. If the cavity is not repaired and progresses, it can reach the nerve of the child’s tooth, which will infect the adult tooth growing directly below. So to have good healthy adult teeth, prevention is better than cure.
The Régie de l’Assurance Maladie du Québec (RAMQ) pays to repair the teeth of children up to 10 years old. Unfortunately, they only accept to reimburse the use of dental amalgam on the posterior teeth. At Al Dente, we have chosen, for the well-being of our customers, not to use dental amalgams. The white composite material is our material of choice for the repair of cavities in children or adults.
Dental decalcification
Tooth decalcification is the loss of calcium from the enamel of the teeth. It makes the teeth more vulnerable because the enamel erodes. While previously it was associated with the elderly (because it is related to aging), this phenomenon is increasingly affecting young people. Enamel decalcification is caused by :
- acid attacks (acidic or sugary foods and drinks);
- poor dental hygiene, bacterial plaque (biofilm);
- bruxism (teeth grinding at night);
- salivary insufficiency.
Good to know : Enzymes, which are proteins found in saliva, protect the enamel from acid attacks by acidic drinks, cavities and/or bacterial plaque. People whose saliva is rich in enzymes are therefore less likely to experience tooth decalcification.
