What are cavities or tooth decay?<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCavities, also known as tooth decay, are the result of bacteria that feed on sugar and create acid that destroys the teeth. Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar from food and drinks, then create acid as a byproduct. This acid is what eats away at your teeth and causes dental cavities. The first sign of it is a dull, tingling or painful sensation in the teeth. It can spread to the root of the tooth, causing pain and requiring extensive dental treatment<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"secondary](\"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/cef32fe1-568c-4464-b286-7bd6ed4086ab-900x900.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
\r\ndry mouth<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Cavity](\"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Screenshot-2021-02-08-at-5.46.48-PM-519x900.png\" "\\"\\"")
\r\nDental Filling<\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"cavity](\"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/116075806_286375925977552_5531084136576930931_n.jpg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe primary cause of tooth decay is the breakdown of the tooth\u2019s protective barrier. The outer layer of the tooth is made of a substance called enamel, which is similar to the enamel found on baby teeth. It is highly resistant to bacteria and is the strongest substance in your body. However, when the enamel is exposed to acids produced by bacteria, it can break down and lead to it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Tooth decay causes bad breath<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA quick Google search for the reason behind bad breath will most likely lead you to a list of foods that are high in sugar. While the foods you consume can contribute to bad breath, the first thing listed is tooth decay. Dental cavities can lead to bacterial infection in your gums, which can cause bad breath.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n![\"tooth](\"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/image-67-900x294.jpeg\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\nDecayed teeth have a higher chance of being impacted and need to be removed. Oral hygiene here plays an important role.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nImpacted teeth are when the decaying teeth don\u2019t have enough room to grow in a straight line, which leads to them growing towards the gum line and causing a pocket that traps bacteria and leads to bad breath. They are also more likely to break, which can lead to infection in your bloodstream and cause bad breath.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Sugar is the primary cause<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYou may have heard that plaque is the cause of tooth decay, but plaque is a result of it. At first, bacteria that feed on sugars in your mouth form plaque and stick to the teeth. Next, the plaque grows and becomes sticky. This sticky plaque leads to an acid that damages the enamel of teeth, and this is the start of tooth decay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nSugar is the primary cause of tooth decay because it is easily broken down into glucose and is more easily absorbed by the bacteria in your mouth.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n![\"sugar-free](\"https:\/\/royalimplant.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/sugar-drinks-diabetes.jpg-e1672107440232-900x600.webp\" "\\"\\"")
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIt is important to note, however, that not all sugars cause tooth decay. Some foods like milk and fruits naturally contain sugar, but are not easily broken down into glucose and therefore do not cause dental cavity. It happens when\u00a0bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the enamel. Tooth decay can lead to cavities (dental caries), which are holes in your teeth. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Weak enamel is the key to understanding why teeth decay<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs mentioned above, the enamel is the outer layer of your teeth that acts as a protective barrier against bacteria. Bacteria, however, have been around for millions of years longer than humans have. To protect their bodies from bacteria, humans developed antibodies. These are proteins that recognize bacteria and attack them. Enamel, however, is not covered in antibodies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nThe primary cause of tooth decay is the breakdown of the tooth\u2019s protective barrier. The outer layer of the tooth is made of a substance called enamel, which is similar to the enamel found on baby teeth. It is highly resistant to bacteria and is the strongest substance in your body. However, when the enamel is exposed to acids produced by bacteria, it can break down and lead to it.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Tooth decay causes bad breath<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nA quick Google search for the reason behind bad breath will most likely lead you to a list of foods that are high in sugar. While the foods you consume can contribute to bad breath, the first thing listed is tooth decay. Dental cavities can lead to bacterial infection in your gums, which can cause bad breath.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\nDecayed teeth have a higher chance of being impacted and need to be removed. Oral hygiene here plays an important role.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nImpacted teeth are when the decaying teeth don\u2019t have enough room to grow in a straight line, which leads to them growing towards the gum line and causing a pocket that traps bacteria and leads to bad breath. They are also more likely to break, which can lead to infection in your bloodstream and cause bad breath.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Sugar is the primary cause<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nYou may have heard that plaque is the cause of tooth decay, but plaque is a result of it. At first, bacteria that feed on sugars in your mouth form plaque and stick to the teeth. Next, the plaque grows and becomes sticky. This sticky plaque leads to an acid that damages the enamel of teeth, and this is the start of tooth decay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nSugar is the primary cause of tooth decay because it is easily broken down into glucose and is more easily absorbed by the bacteria in your mouth.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIt is important to note, however, that not all sugars cause tooth decay. Some foods like milk and fruits naturally contain sugar, but are not easily broken down into glucose and therefore do not cause dental cavity. It happens when\u00a0bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the enamel. Tooth decay can lead to cavities (dental caries), which are holes in your teeth. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Weak enamel is the key to understanding why teeth decay<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAs mentioned above, the enamel is the outer layer of your teeth that acts as a protective barrier against bacteria. Bacteria, however, have been around for millions of years longer than humans have. To protect their bodies from bacteria, humans developed antibodies. These are proteins that recognize bacteria and attack them. Enamel, however, is not covered in antibodies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/figure>\r\nDecayed teeth have a higher chance of being impacted and need to be removed. Oral hygiene here plays an important role.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Impacted teeth are when the decaying teeth don\u2019t have enough room to grow in a straight line, which leads to them growing towards the gum line and causing a pocket that traps bacteria and leads to bad breath. They are also more likely to break, which can lead to infection in your bloodstream and cause bad breath.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n You may have heard that plaque is the cause of tooth decay, but plaque is a result of it. At first, bacteria that feed on sugars in your mouth form plaque and stick to the teeth. Next, the plaque grows and becomes sticky. This sticky plaque leads to an acid that damages the enamel of teeth, and this is the start of tooth decay.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Sugar is the primary cause of tooth decay because it is easily broken down into glucose and is more easily absorbed by the bacteria in your mouth.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n It is important to note, however, that not all sugars cause tooth decay. Some foods like milk and fruits naturally contain sugar, but are not easily broken down into glucose and therefore do not cause dental cavity. It happens when\u00a0bacteria in your mouth make acids that attack the enamel. Tooth decay can lead to cavities (dental caries), which are holes in your teeth. If tooth decay is not treated, it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n As mentioned above, the enamel is the outer layer of your teeth that acts as a protective barrier against bacteria. Bacteria, however, have been around for millions of years longer than humans have. To protect their bodies from bacteria, humans developed antibodies. These are proteins that recognize bacteria and attack them. Enamel, however, is not covered in antibodies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nSugar is the primary cause<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/figure>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWeak enamel is the key to understanding why teeth decay<\/strong><\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n