Knowledge What is tooth decay? Or: Why do teeth get cavities?
In dentistry, the word caries refers to a bacterial disease that destroys the tooth structure. Although caries is the most common dental disease, nobody is born with caries. Caries is also not hereditary.
How does a hole form in a tooth?
Millions of bacteria live in our mouths and naturally settle on our teeth. These bacteria, primarily the so-called streptococci, feel very comfortable in the deep tooth pits and interdental spaces. There they can colonise and multiply undisturbed. This proliferation results in an increasingly thick bacterial coating: plaque. Some types of bacteria in this plaque system can convert sugar into acid.
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This acid attacks the tooth enamel and decalcifies it. Visible white spots appear. If this decalcification continues unchecked, the tooth surface breaks down and a cavity forms.
Caries is a process in which the bacteria and acid work their way further and further into the tooth. First the hard enamel is damaged, then the softer dentin. If the bacteria come into contact with the dentin, the tooth can sometimes be painful or sensitive. The nerve fibres inside the tooth react with pain, especially when sweet or cold foods are eaten. If caries is not treated at this stage, the bacteria can eat away the entire tooth and cause severe discomfort.
If a tooth is affected by caries, it cannot be cured by any medication. The caries and the diseased tooth substance must be removed mechanically. As the tooth substance removed in this way will not grow back, the resulting defect must be treated with a suitable filling material.
In order to effectively prevent caries, the acid-producing bacterial plaque must be regularly and thoroughly removed from the teeth. On smooth surfaces, this is best done mechanically with a toothbrush. In places where the toothbrush cannot reach, for example in the interdental spaces, dental floss or interdental brushes help. However, the most important tool for oral health remains regular dental check-ups and dental hygiene.
Do you have any further questions?
Contact us by telephone on 044 215 51 51 or by e-mail at info@citydental.ch.
