Dental caries is caused by bacterial growth in the mouth, which converts food into acid that damages tooth structures. Prevention through good oral hygiene and dietary modifications is key, as tooth enamel cannot grow back once destroyed. Early childhood caries can be prevented by limiting sugary drinks to meal times.
Dental caries is a disease of the mouth that causes damage to certain tooth structures. This damage is caused by bacterial growth in the mouth. There are two types of bacteria that commonly cause this damage; a species called Streptococcus mutans and species of the genus Lactobacillus. If left undetected and treated, dental caries can lead to tooth decay, mouth infections, and systemic infections that can, in rare cases, lead to death. Dental caries is extremely common and can occur in people of any age.
Tooth decay, the common term for dental decay, occurs due to bacteria in the mouth converting food into various types of acid. The easiest foods for bacteria to convert are sugars and starches, which is why these foods contribute the most to tooth decay. When bacteria turn food into acids, the acids, food debris and bacteria combine to form plaque, a sticky substance that adheres to the teeth. If plaque is not removed, it hardens over time and turns into tartar, which is not easily removed. At the same time, the acids produced by the bacteria gradually dissolve the tooth enamel, leading to tooth decay.
All of these processes combine to cause damage to tooth structures called enamel, dentin, and cementum. Tooth enamel is the visible tissue of the tooth, a hard outer coating that is the hardest substance in the human body. Beneath the enamel layer, a layer of dentin provides support for the enamel. Cement is a softer substance that coats the root surface of the tooth, below the gum line. As these dental structures are progressively damaged by food acids, plaque and tartar, tooth decay and gums become red, inflamed and susceptible to infection.
Once tooth enamel has been destroyed, it cannot grow back. To treat tooth decay, diseased parts of the tooth are removed and replaced with a non-biological material such as amalgam, porcelain, resin, or gold. In cases where there is too much decay to fix the tooth, it may be fitted with a cap called a crown or it may be removed altogether.
The most effective treatment for dental caries is preventative treatment. Good oral hygiene, including regular brushing after meals and daily flossing, reduces the amount of plaque on your teeth and helps prevent tartar buildup. Antiseptic mouthwashes are also useful for reducing the presence of bacteria in the mouth.
Dietary modifications can help reduce the risk of dental caries. The most significant change is the reduction in the frequency of ingestion of sugary foods and drinks. Also, avoiding snacking between meals helps prevent tooth decay and tooth decay, because this reduces the available food supply for bacteria, particularly if teeth are brushed after each meal.
Very young children are at risk for early childhood caries if they are allowed to walk or sleep with a bottle or cup of juice or milk, because if they have constant access to sugary liquids, their teeth are chronically exposed to sugars. This is a particular risk if sugary drinks such as juices are given on a regular basis, but even milk and baby formula contain enough sugar to pose a risk. The risk of dental caries in early childhood can be reduced by limiting juice to a drink only with meals.
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