Tooth decay happens whenever your tooth enamel (the hard outer part of your teeth) is damaged. This is something that anyone can be inflicted with because plaque (a sticky film of bacteria) is constantly forming on your teeth. Whenever you eat or drink sugary food, the plaque will produce acid that will then attack your tooth enamel .
Factors That Predispose People to Tooth Decay
There are some very important factors that will predispose someone to tooth decay. Of course, a large part of this does have to do with how well formed your teeth are and whether they have strong enamel. If you have deep crevices, this gives the disease room in which to grow. Also, if your mouth is too acidic (PH should be between 6.2 and 7.4), this can be a problem.
You will also find that there are some things that you have control over, such as:
- Proper brushing and flossing are vital. It’s also important to understand that brushing too often can be problematic as well.
- You need to eat well because too much soda, candy or citrus fruit can do great harm.
- It’s important not to have a really dry mouth, which is typically caused by things such as stress, medication, illness or old age. If your mouth is too dry, you’re more prone to develop tooth decay.
While these things aren’t necessarily listed in the order of importance, they definitely all play an important role in whether or not you’ll actually be predisposed to tooth decay. Hopefully this will provide you with some important information about this oral health disease so that you can take measures to prevent it. If you already have it, then it’s equally as important to seek dental treatment right away for it.