How do human tooth decay form? Don’t ignore the causes of tooth decay!

Tooth decay is often called "cavities" in daily life, which actually means that there is a problem with the teeth. If people do not pay attention to oral hygiene after eating every day, it will cause toothache and may also cause oral diseases. It is said: "Toothache is not a disease, but it can be fatal"! So, how do human tooth decay form?

Tooth decay is caused by dental plaque. Plaque is an almost colorless film on the surface of teeth that contains bacteria that cause tooth decay. After each meal, these bacteria in dental plaque react chemically with the sugars or starches in the food to produce acids that corrode the teeth. Over time, the enamel of the teeth will be destroyed, forming small, fragile cavities. If the condition continues to worsen, it will form cavities, which is called tooth decay. So, tooth decay develops from small cavities. It is not that there are really worms or any other insects, but it is the result of gradual corrosion of the teeth. In severe cases, tooth decay can lead to tooth death and loss.

In the process of dental caries formation, diet is an important mediator of bacterial growth. Since most foods contain large amounts of carbohydrates and sugars, these substances provide energy for the survival and reproduction of bacteria in plaque. At the same time, the metabolism of bacteria causes glycolysis in the mouth to produce a large amount of organic acid. If this organic acid remains on the tooth surface and in the pits and fissures for a long time, it will cause enamel demineralization and damage. The tooth surface that loses the protection of enamel will be dissolved by certain bacteria to form caries. There are many types of sugars that can cause tooth decay, and studies have found that the main threat comes from sucrose.

Sweet foods contain a lot of sugar and starch, such as candy, chocolate, biscuits and cakes. In particular, sticky sweets are easy to adhere to the tooth surface, providing sufficient nutrients for cariogenic bacteria in dental plaque. The organic acids produced after metabolism are highly cariogenic.

The currently recognized theory of the etiology of dental caries is the four-factor theory, which mainly includes bacteria, oral environment, host (that is, parasites including parasites, viruses and other organisms that parasitize on it) and time. The basic point is that cariogenic food sugars (especially sucrose and refined carbohydrates) are tightly attached to the tooth surface, forming an acquired film by salivary proteins. This acquired film is not only firmly attached to the tooth surface, but also has enough time and temperature to produce acid deep in the plaque, attacking the teeth, demineralizing them, and further destroying organic matter, resulting in caries.

Causes:

1. Bacteria

It is a necessary condition for the occurrence of dental caries. It is generally believed that there are two types of dental caries bacteria. One is the acid-producing bacteria, mainly Streptococcus mutans, Actinomyces and Lactobacillus, which can decompose carbohydrates to produce acid, leading to demineralization of tooth inorganic matter; the other is Gram-positive cocci, which can destroy organic matter and cause tooth cavities after long-term action.

2. Oral environment

The oral cavity is the external environment of teeth and is closely related to the occurrence of caries, among which food and saliva play the dominant role.

(1) Food. It is mainly carbohydrates, which are related to the formation of plaque matrix and are also the main energy source for bacteria in plaque. Bacteria can use carbohydrates (especially sucrose) to metabolize to produce acid and synthesize extracellular polysaccharides and intracellular polysaccharides. The organic acids produced are beneficial to the growth of acid-producing and acid-resistant bacteria, and are also beneficial to the demineralization of dental hard tissues. Polysaccharides can promote the adhesion and accumulation of bacteria on the tooth surface and provide an energy source when exogenous sugar is lacking.

(2) Saliva. Under normal circumstances, saliva has the following functions: 1. Mechanical cleaning effect; 2. Antibacterial effect; 3. Anti-acid effect; 4. Anti-dissolution effect.

Changes in the quantity and quality of saliva can affect the caries prevalence. Clinically, the caries prevalence in patients with xerostomia or salivary secretion is significantly increased. Patients who undergo maxillofacial radiotherapy may have multiple caries due to damage to the salivary glands; on the other hand, an increase in the amount of lactic acid in saliva is also conducive to the occurrence of caries.

3. Host

Teeth are target organs in the process of caries. The morphology, mineralization degree and tissue structure of teeth are directly related to the occurrence of caries.

4. Time

The development of dental caries is a long process. It usually takes 1.5 to 2 years from the initial stage of dental caries to the formation of clinical cavities. Therefore, even if cariogenic bacteria, a suitable environment and a susceptible host exist at the same time, dental caries will not occur immediately. Only when the above three factors exist at the same time for a considerable period of time can dental caries occur.

prevention

Caries prevention should start as soon as the teeth erupt.

1. Brush your teeth in the morning and evening, and develop a good habit of rinsing your mouth after meals.

2. Eat less acidic and stimulating foods and do not eat snacks before going to bed.

3. Eat less high-sugar foods, such as sugar, chocolate, biscuits, etc.

4. Do not eat too much or too hard food to avoid tooth wear.

5. Take part in physical exercise regularly and check your oral cavity regularly. Generally, people over 12 years old should have a check-up once a year.

6. In daily diet, you should consume more nutritious foods rich in calcium, inorganic salts, etc., and eat high-fiber rough foods as much as possible.