How a cavity is formed?

A cavity is a hole in a tooth due to the tooth enamel is destroyed or eroded by losing minerals. The cavity is also called tooth decay or dental caries. The cavity can cause pain, sensitive to hot or cold, inflammation of gum, and lose the tooth. It doesn’t matter if you are old or young, male or female, the cavity affects everyone. Once a cavity is developed, the damage to the tooth is permanent. You have to see a dentist to get dental filling to repair the tooth.

What cause the tooth enamel lose minerals?  The culprit is an acid. The acid in your mouth dissolve the minerals of the tooth to cause the cavity.  Bacteria in your mouth turn any foods with carbohydrates to acid. The acid, food debris, bacteria and saliva combine together to form plaque on your teeth.  Over the time, the acid in plaque gradually eats away the tooth enamel, then form a cavity.  

The tooth enamel is composed of around 95% minerals. Most of the minerals is hydroxyapatite (Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH) that formed by calcium and phosphate ions. The acids in your mouth react with the tooth enamel causing the tooth enamel dissolving. Over the time, the cavity is formed. Here is the chemical reaction formula:

Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH(s) (Tooth enamel) + H⁺ (Acid) (aq) → Ca₅(PO₄)₃⁺(aq) + H₂O(l)

Where aq is the abbreviation of “Aqueous” meaning dissolved in solution.

The sequential of the cavity formation is as follow:

Foods with carbohydrates => bacteria => acid => plaque =>cavity

We can target every one of the key item to prevent the cavity. For example, reduce taking the foods and drinks that contain carbohydrates, try not eat or drink too much acidic food or drinks, clean and floss your teeth after meals, use mouth wash to kill bacteria. It is not easier, but you have to try.  

A good habit to have: chewing sugarless gum

Chewing sugarless gum can protect your teeth. According to American Dental Association (http://www.ada.org/en/member-center/oral-health-topics/chewing-gum), the physical activity of chewing gum increase salivary flow. The salivary can help neutralize and wash away the acid that are produced when food is broken down by the bacteria in plaque on teeth. Clinical studies have shown that chewing sugarless gum for 20 minutes after meals can help prevent tooth decay.
 

The ADA website has a list of sugarless gums that are awarded its Seal of Acceptance. A company earns the ADA Seal must demonstrate that its product meets safety and efficacy requirements. It must provide the results of both laboratory studies and clinical studies in human.
 

The sugarless gum that contains a sugar substitute called xylitol can fight against cavities and prevent dry mouth. Xylitol is naturally occurring alcohol found in most of plant material including many fruits and vegetables. It cannot be converted to acids that cause tooth decay. It reduces level of decay-causing bacteria in saliva. Xylitol is more expensive than a common sugar substitute sorbitol. That is why the sorbitol is commonly used on the gum. However, cariogenic bacteria that caused tooth decay can slowly ferment sorbitol. In terms of cavity prevention, it is better to look for a gum contains xylitol. Xylitol has very few side effects. Medical study has confirmed that an adult can take up to 50 grams’ xylitol per day. The amount xylitol found in the gum is safe.
 

Chewing sugarless gum potentially help you to lose weight or quit smoking. That is right. Since you are busy chewing carioles free gum, you may not have time snacking or smoking. When your mind is focusing on preventing cavities, you may control your desire to eat candy or sweets. One stone, two birds! Chewing sugarless gum, a good habit to have!