Tooth decay brings goose bumps even to the oldest and wisest of men in all races of the world. All people, rich and poor, young and old, are vulnerable to the banes of having a tooth decay (with the exception of those who have no teeth of course). And while the reason why teeth start to decay are quite complex and insidious the fact still remains that if an individual doesn’t take action to a decaying tooth it will cause a lot of discomfort soon.

Formation of tooth decay

Are Dental Cavities Contagious?

Tooth decay is the culmination of the deterioration of the enamel of the tooth due to the billions of bacteria which is in existence within the mouth of all of us. The results of these bacteria which produce acids are cavities and decaying of the teeth. In general, cavities start small and of course, if left ignored, it will expand into a large cavity which will get to the nerve and cause excruciating pain and eventually a dead tooth. The speed of which this process happens depends on many factors.

To make matters worse, sugary foods are readily available everywhere. Sugar and starchy food, as it happens, can create just the perfect habitat for these acid producing bacteria to multiply and easily rot the teeth. This is the main reason why there are a larger number of children today who suffer from this disease, tooth decay as compared to before. Looking into statistics, six out of 10 children ages 5 and below already have at least one cavity. This is attributed to the following reasons:

1. The practice of parents of giving juice, formula or milk in a bottle to their babies- ( Click here for dental care for babies)
2. Snacks rich in sugar are available anywhere.
3. Poor oral hygiene habit

So what can people do to fight off tooth decay?

Preventing tooth decay is easy but requires dedication and discipline at any age. Here are a list of things you can do to lessen the acid producing bacteria in your mouth.

Good Oral Health

1. Brush at least 2 or 3 times everyday
2. Floss your teeth everyday
3. Use a toothpaste that has tartar-control
4. Use fluoride mouthwash to rinse your mouth
5. Xylitor gum is a good thing to chew to increase saliva. Saliva helps wash the bacteria out from the mouth.
6. Avoid sugary foods as much as possible
7. Regular visit with the dentist including professional cleaning every six months

The actions listed above need a little understanding but more action. Making them a habit each day will help a person keep his or her teeth healthy for a longer time.

Please call 323-771-7254 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

By Ladan Zinati