Tooth decay, or cavities, are an all too common dental issue. But the best way to safeguard yourself is to know more about tooth decay. As they say, knowledge is power! In this blog post, we’re here to tackle what exactly causes tooth decay and whether or not it’s reversible.
The Cause of Tooth Decay
Tooth decay forms when there’s a perfect storm of a few different factors. When plaque (that sticky stuff that forms a layer on your teeth) comes in contact with sugars and carbohydrates, it creates acids that eat away at enamel. This is tooth decay.
Now that you know what causes tooth decay, you can see how brushing and flossing regularly to prevent the buildup of plaque and limiting your sugar consumption can help prevent cavities!
Reversing Tooth Decay
You may be surprised to know that it’s actually possible to reverse tooth decay! A big part of this is because our teeth are constantly undergoing an organic process of demineralization (losing minerals) and remineralization (regaining minerals). This occurs on a daily basis. You can reverse early tooth decay by supporting remineralization.
So how do you do that? Well, one way is to make sure you’re getting enough fluoride. Fluoride not only prevents mineral loss in enamel, but it helps replace minerals too. That could mean choosing a toothpaste with fluoride or getting fluoride treatments at a dental office if your dentist recommends it.
You can eat a diet with healthy fats, nutrient-rich vegetables, and dairy. And, of course, cut out or cut down on the sugar and try to avoid high phytic acid foods (this includes oatmeal, beans, and legumes), which prevent remineralization. You could also look into taking supplements, such as calcium, Vitamin D, and Vitamin K2.
Want more information about any of the topics we’ve mentioned in this blog post? We can help with that! Contact Hooks Family Dentistry today to learn more about preventing cavities and keeping your teeth healthy.
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