10 Common Causes of Tooth Decay in 2021

Before we dive into the causes of tooth decay, let’s look at what tooth decay really is.

Tooth decay primarily occurs when bacteria living in one’s mouth make acid, that in turn, begins to eat away at one’s teeth. Tooth decay is also called cavity/cavities. When tooth decay is left untreated, it may lead to infection, extreme pain and the loss of tooth. The process of tooth decay starts with the not easily observed damage to the enamel of one’s teeth and then continuously progresses to deeper layers of the tooth, eventually leading to the pulp.

10 Common Causes of Tooth Decay

1. Poor Oral Hygiene: Inadequate brushing and flossing can lead to tooth decay. If, for instance, you don’t clean your teeth soon after eating and drinking, plaque forms quickly and the first stages of decay can begin. It is important to know that poor oral hygiene doesn’t have to do with not brushing only, but also not flossing, brushing your tongue not using mouth wash regularly. You should learn to brush your teeth, at least twice daily; morning and night preferably. also remember to brush for at least two minutes every time you brush. Please not that improper oral hygiene will automatically lead to tooth decay but here’s the good news, tooth decay can be avoided if you practice excellent oral hygiene.
   
   
2. Food and Drinks: Foods that cling to your teeth for a long time such as milk, ice cream, sugar, soda, cake, cookies, candy and mints, dry cereal, and chips, are more likely to cause decay than foods that are easily washed away by saliva. Foods that are acidic oftentimes, lead to tooth decay.
   
   
3. Enamel issues and Deep Tooth Crevices: it is important to know that individuals who have enamel issues and deep crevices in their teeth are likely to have troubles with tooth decay. This is so true because deep crevices allow bacteria and plaque easy passage to occupy and grow. Here’s good news, dental sealants are used to prevent tooth decay in patients with deep tooth crevices. Also note that a dental sealant is only safe for the teeth that are not infected so as to prevent them from decaying.
   
   
4. Dry Mouth: this is caused by lack of saliva in the mouth which helps prevent tooth decay by washing away food and plaque from your teeth; saliva helps inhibits the growth of plaques.  Substances found in saliva also help counter the acid produced by bacteria. Certain medications, some medical conditions, radiation to your head or neck, or certain chemotherapy drugs can increase your risk of cavities by reducing saliva production. People with dry mouth conditions are more likely to have dental issues, which eventually, lead to tooth decay.
   
   
5. Lack of Proper Nutrition: foods that are high in sugar, carbohydrates and acid are not too good for your teeth. The best thing to do is to avoid tooth decay due to lack of proper nutrition. It is safer and healthier to eat healthy diet, both foods and drinks.
   
   
6. Eating Disorders: Anorexia and bulimia can lead to significant tooth erosion and cavities. Stomach acid from repeated vomiting (puking), for instance, washes over the teeth and begins dissolving the enamel. Eating disorders also can sure interfere with saliva production.
   
   
7. Tooth Location: back teeth, known as molars and premolars, are the commonest teeth affected when it comes to tooth decay. The reason is this: they are more difficult to be cleaned due to where they are located and also, because their surfaces are rough. This is one of the many reasons flossing is super important; it helps reaching and cleaning where toothbrushes can’t.
   
   
8. Bedtime Infant Feeding: When babies are given bedtime bottles filled with milk, formula, juice or other sugar-containing liquids, these beverages remain on their teeth for hours while they sleep, feeding decay-causing bacteria.
   
   
9. Tooth Grinding: quite a number of people grind their teeth and do not even realizing it. Tooth grinding, more often than not, occurs when such people are asleep or when they’re under great stress. One of the results of tooth grinding is tooth decay. This is due to the fact that it strips away the outer layer of tooth enamel. The good news is that tooth grinding is preventable with the use of a “bite guard” and with the reduction of stress. Try not to over stress yourself, to prevent your tooth from decaying.
   
   
10. Frequent Snacking or Sipping: When you steadily snack or sip sugary drinks, you give mouth bacteria more fuel to produce acids that attack your teeth and wear them down, thereby leading to too decay.
    

Note: Visit your dentist regularly to have your teeth examined to know the state of your teeth and the precautions that need to be taken.