“Dentistry is not expensive, neglect is.” (Dental Saying)

What keeps most individuals from having a cavity filled? The answer usually comes down to one of two important issues: fear of the dentist or concern about the cost of the treatment. Daily oral care is important to the health of your mouth.

Problems with cavities usually start when one neglects brushing and flossing. Did you know that you won’t be able to reverse the damage caused by a cavity after it’s formed, even with proper oral care? You can choose to have a filling placed. This will restore the functionality of your tooth, and stop decay from spreading further. Here are five things you may not know about cavities:

1. A cavity is a bacterial infection: A cavity is just a hole in your tooth. For that hole to form, a whole lot needs to happen in your mouth. Dental caries (the technical term for a cavity) is caused by streptococcus mutans, bacteria which we’ve all got in our mouths. As sugars enter your mouth, it’s broken down by streptococcus mutans, and secretes acid as a byproduct. This acid then starts to dissolve and soften your enamel, which is the outer layer of the tooth.

It is the strongest substance that our bodies make. These soft spots provide easy routes for bacteria to enter your teeth, and take up residence. Once this happens, it becomes harder to clean off the bacteria just from brushing and flossing. And as long as the bacteria are there, it can continue the process of dissolving the tooth, which will eventually lead to a cavity.

2. A cavity is all about timing: It is difficult to eliminate all sugar from your diet. Even healthy foods like whole grains and fruits can be broken down into simple sugars that streptococcus mutans feed on. There are things that can be done to lessen the effect of these sugars have on our teeth. When food enters your mouth, it starts immediately being broken down into simple sugars. These sugars are then used by the bacteria as an energy source.

As the sugars are broken down by the bacteria, acids are secreted as byproducts. This whole process lasts about thirty minutes (not from the time you start eating) but from your last sugar intake. So let’s say you want to eat some Skittles. It would be better for you to down the entire bag at once rather than prolonging the snacking over an extended period of time. (If you’re eating sugary foods, it’s best to do it during your meals. That way, you’re making more saliva to buffer the acid and wash away the sugars.)

3. Sugar is not always the enemy: Did you know some sugars can actually be used to prevent cavities? Certain sugars like those found in dietary carbohydrates are what the bacteria need to start the cavity process. There are some natural sugars that can stunt and even stop the cavity process.

Xylitol is found in many mints and gums. It is a sugar that when ingested by a bacterium prevents it from breaking down sugars into acids. At therapeutic levels, two pieces of Xylitol three times a day (for at least five minutes) can kill these cavity-causing bacteria.

4. Sometimes cavities can be treated without turning the drill on:

A cavity can be drilled and filled, but there are other methods in dealing with some cavities if it can be caught early enough.

If a cavity remains in the enamel only (the incipient lesion) then maybe it can be reversed. In that case, you’ll use fluoride, which is found in most toothpaste, mouthwashes, and even your tap water.

Fluoride is a natural and safe way to strengthen the enamel, making it harder for the bacteria to dissolve. Fluoride is one of the ten greatest public health achievements of the twentieth century.

Some dentists are even experimenting with “no-drill fillings,” if they catch the cavity early enough.

The cavity process starts when the enamel is dissolved, leaving a porous texture to that area of the tooth. This treatment uses a mild acid to completely cleanse that affected tooth structure. This allows a resin material to fill in the voids and strengthen the tooth.

5. Having cavities is the most prevalent chronic disease of childhood: Although cavities are largely preventable, they remain the “most common chronic disease of children aged six to eleven years and adolescents aged twelve to nineteen years. In fact, kids miss over fifty million hours of school each year due to dental problems and related illnesses.

About twenty percent of children aged five to eleven, and thirteen percent of adolescents aged twelve to nineteen have had at least one untreated decayed tooth. By the age of fifteen, about sixty percent of all adolescents will have experienced cavities. And the numbers look even grimmer for children and adolescents from low-income families.

“Oral health is just as important as getting a regular physical. It’s not just about getting a cavity filled. It’s about the overall health of the individual.” (Jennifer Williams)[i]