What Causes Cavities? The Balance Of Bacteria In Your Mouth Can Lead To Tooth Decay

If you notice that you have a sweet tooth you should know that this could be an indicator that you have a bunch of decayed teeth in your mouth too. A video released by Gross Science channel by PBS Nova on YouTube shows the shocking truth about the formation of cavities, how certain useful bacteria fight against intruders in order to maintain oral health and what is the final result in case they fail. According to numerous studies, every tooth in our mouth is home to more than 100.000 bacteria and they are here to protect the teeth. However, the bacteria that love sweet products can also ruin the health of your teeth and lead to tooth decay. The Mayo Clinic has confirmed that some foods and drinks packed with sugar can directly affect the health of your teeth by sticking the sugar on your teeth. In case they are not removed, bacteria start consuming sugars and create bacterial plaque which leads to coating of the tooth’s surface. Furthermore, in case this plaque is not eliminated when it is soft, it becomes hardened and acts as a biofilm packed with thousands of microbial bacteria. This is exactly where harmful bacteria hide while you are using the dental floss or toothbrush. It is a well-known fact that biofilms grow by consuming sugar and excrete acidic waste. These acids found in plaque use the minerals from the teeth and eliminate the outer, solid enamel which eventually results in erosion. This is the first phase of a cavity formation. In case they are not treated, the bacteria start to interact with each other with the help of signals on a molecular level and they team up, expand and lead to bacterial imbalance in the oral cavity. So, the more soft drinks and candies you consume, the more acidic environment you create. So, the enamel can’t handle the acid and decay affects the inner material of teeth – the place where the blood vessels and nerves are located. The final stage of this decay results in toothache, tooth sensitivity and the visit to the dentist’s office is inevitable. Via Medical Daily