Explore the causes, effects, and prevention of cavities, a dental issue affecting individuals of all ages, with a focus on the specific challenges faced by adults and older individuals.
Cavity Formation: Plaque and its Effects on Enamel
Cavities, also known as tooth decay, refer to the damaging of the tooth enamel, the teeth's hard, external layer. This issue is not limited to any age group, affecting children, teenagers, and adults alike. The continuous formation of plaque, a sticky bacterial film, on your teeth is a major contributor to this problem. Consuming foods and drinks with sugars allows the bacteria in the plaque to generate acids that assault the tooth enamel. Due to the plaque's stickiness, the acids remain in contact with the teeth, causing the enamel to deteriorate over time and leading to cavity formation, identifiable by small holes in the teeth.
Though children are more prone to cavities, adults are not exempt from this dental issue. The aging process can cause the gums to recede from the teeth, and an increased rate of gum disease may expose tooth roots to plaque. Unlike enamel, tooth roots are shielded by cementum, a softer substance that's more vulnerable to decay and more reactive to touch and temperature variations. Tooth-root decay is especially frequent in individuals over 50 years old.
Older adults may also experience decay around the borders of fillings. Many of them may not have had access to fluoride and modern preventive dental treatments in their youth, resulting in multiple dental fillings. Over time, these fillings can weaken, crack, and leak at the edges, creating small spaces where bacteria gather. This allows acids to accumulate, resulting in decay.
Prevention Tips: Maintaining Healthy Teeth and Gums
To assist in averting tooth decay, consider adopting these preventive measures:
- Brush your teeth twice daily using toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Utilize floss or an interdental cleaner to clean your teeth every day.
- Maintain a balanced and nutritious diet, and minimize snacking between meals.
- Consult with your dentist regarding supplemental fluoride to fortify your teeth and apply dental sealants—a plastic coating placed on the chewing surfaces of molars—to shield them from decay.
- Regularly scheduled visits to your dentist for professional cleanings and thorough oral examinations.