What causes tooth decay?

There are many reasons for tooth decay. The most important reason is not paying attention to oral hygiene, which leads to bacterial growth. The bacteria will attach to the surface of the teeth and have an erosive effect on the teeth. Especially some children, who like to eat sweets. Bacteria like sugar very much, which is also an important reason for the massive growth of bacteria. Therefore, if we understand the causes of tooth decay, we should pay attention to good prevention.

What causes tooth decay?

1. Bacteria

Bacteria are the primary cause of tooth decay. Bacteria mainly adhere to the tooth surface with the help of plaque. After the food debris in the mouth is degraded, it polymerizes to produce highly viscous glucan to form the plaque matrix, and on the other hand, it produces acid to demineralize the teeth.

2. Oral environment

The oral cavity is the external environment of the teeth and is closely related to the occurrence of tooth decay, with food and saliva playing the main roles. Carbohydrates are involved in the formation of the plaque matrix and are the main energy source for bacteria in the plaque. Changes in the quantity and quality of saliva can increase the incidence of tooth decay.

3. Host

Teeth are hosts in the caries process. The shape, structure and position of teeth are directly related to the occurrence of tooth decay. Pits and fissures are defects left over from the development process. Bacteria and food debris are easily trapped in deep pits and are difficult to clean, leading to an increased incidence of tooth decay. If the teeth are undermineralized, especially undercalcified, the density of the enamel and dentin is not high, the caries resistance is low, and the probability of tooth decay is high.

4. Eating habits

Diet is an important factor for bacteria in the formation of tooth decay. Food contains a lot of carbohydrates and sugars, which are not only the energy source of bacteria in plaque, but also produce organic acids through glycolysis through bacterial metabolism, allowing some bacteria to dissolve proteins and cause tooth decay. Children who love sweets since childhood are especially prone to tooth decay.

The harm of tooth decay

1. Deciduous teeth are important chewing organs for children. Tooth decay will reduce the chewing function of teeth, which is not conducive to the digestion and absorption of food[1], affecting children's nutritional intake and growth and development;

2. After tooth decay occurs, the functional stimulation to the jawbone is reduced, which is not conducive to the normal development of the maxillofacial region and may lead to facial deformities.

3. If tooth decay occurs, especially in the front teeth, it will affect the appearance of children's teeth and pronunciation, and cause adverse stimulation to children's psychology.

4. In more serious cases, deciduous teeth with tooth decay can serve as lesion teeth and are associated with systemic diseases such as low fever, rheumatoid arthritis, and nephritis.

5. The existence of deciduous teeth reserves space for the eruption of permanent teeth and has a certain inducing effect on the eruption of permanent teeth. If the deciduous teeth are reduced in mesiodistal diameter or lost prematurely due to tooth decay, it can easily lead to abnormal eruption time of permanent teeth and malocclusion.