The three reasons for the formation of tooth decay

The causes
The cavities are formed as a result of the combination of three factors, namely food, the formation of tooth plaque. Nutrition plays two distinct roles in oral health: first, nutrients consumed affect the development and maintenance of tissues of the mouth and, secondly, property and food composition influence the plaque and the amount of saliva. Good nutrition helps produce enough saliva. Saliva helps to neutralize the acid produced by bacteria to help the process of remineralization of the tooth. Decay occurs when periods of demineralization exceed those of mineralization. The diet plays a direct role in the prevention of dental caries as saliva, fluoride and good oral hygiene. The acidity of saliva influence the development of caries. One need only think of people who do not brush their teeth daily and with no more cavities than those who do three times a day. Their acidity is probably lower than others.
Among the factors associated with the incidence of caries is the sugar content of the food, the texture (liquid, solid food that adheres to teeth), the retention time in the mouth (which increases the time bacteria can feed), the time interval between meals / snacks (decreases time remineralization / demineralization), the frequency of consumption of sugary foods and the consumption of foods at a meal.
Heredity parents also plays a role in the quality of teeth of the person. The plaque in turn is the result of food debris, saliva and bacteria that attach to the tooth. The bacteria in dental plaque assimilate sugars, multiply and secrete an acid that attacks tooth and led to the formation of cavities.

Bottle syndrome
A type of decay observed in young children is the bottle syndrome. The bottle syndrome is characterized by severe dental caries. If a child takes his bottle during naps and at night, the liquid flowing from bottles accumulate around the teeth and produce acidity, high responsible for tooth decay. Milk, formula milk and fruit juices contain sugar. The bottle should not be left to the child during his sleep, so to avoid that liquids can stay around the teeth

Symptoms and signs
The cavities are housed in areas difficult to clean. It takes the appearance of a stain that blackens the enamel of the tooth. It attacks the fabric of the crown (enamel, dentin and cementum) and form a hole. If the decay reaches the pulp, the person will feel the pain. More decay progresses, the tooth becomes more sensitive. It will be particularly sensitive to cold, heat and sugars.

Treatment and prevention
It would be wrong to think that we repair a bunt just to the aesthetic side. If it does not decay, it will reach the dentin (ivory), allowing bacteria to reach the pulp and cause infection of the bone (abscess). It should therefore be treated as soon as possible to avoid damage to make greater. The dental cavity is first cleaned to remove all traces of bacteria and plugged by a product catering, for example, the amalgam.
The research, methods of hygiene today, prevention programs and education have greatly contributed to reducing tooth decay and to safeguard the teeth of adults. Not so long ago, it was not uncommon to wear dentures at the age of 30 years. Apart from the wisdom teeth, it rarely extract teeth. They are on repairs or replaces them with prosthetics (crown, bridge, etc.).. However, the new repair methods create a certain letting go of the people they are now convinced they can eat everything and they do not wash their teeth regularly since the dentist is here to repair excesses.
Whatever our dietary habits, oral hygiene is very important in the prevention of dental caries. Brushing teeth as a main means. A good brushing should take about two to three minutes. It must be strong, common (2 to 3 times a day, especially at bedtime) and done correctly, ie from root to tip over the entire surface of the tooth. It must rinse the brush between each use - a small washing in the dishwasher can remove bacteria that might be there - and change it regularly. The toothpaste should be used sparingly (the size of a pea green) so that the brush falls into contact with the teeth and not that it glides over them. Gargle with mouthwash can help prevent dental plaque, but mention that this is not an infallible. The use of wire (silk) Dental is recommended, particularly among adults who are more likely to experience periodontal disease. The floss can remove pieces of food lodged between teeth and not easily accessible with the brush. Of course, regular visits (1 annually) to the dentist to help prevent and treat caries.

Fluor
The use of fluoride is an excellent way to prevent tooth decay. He joins in dentin and enamel during tooth formation of the tooth and acts as a shield. It is therefore recommended that the children fluoridated water, drops or tablets of fluoride during the first 12 years of their lives. The dentist will benefit from the annual visit your child to apply on its fluorine teeth. You should know that fluoride affects the teeth in training and has no effect on adult teeth.

Cleaning teeth in children
If your child is too young to use a toothbrush, clean teeth and gums with your finger that you have wrapped in a moist gauze or a small washcloth. When your child is older and brush his teeth alone, we need help from time to time and see if his brushing technique is adequate. Visual inspection is the best way to control the dental habits of a child. Look around food particles between teeth and teeth. Do not forget to visit your dentist regularly to clean your child's teeth and to monitor its teeth.

Food focus
During a meal, the last food ingested has a great influence on the duration of acidification of dental plaque. The anticaries foods are rich in fiber, nuts, eggs, meat and cheese. Studies are trying increasingly to demonstrate that the cheese would be a means of prevention against cavities. It is alkaline, contains calcium, phosphorus and casein, a protein that protects tooth enamel and prevent demineralization. In addition, cheese stimulates saliva production, which helps to dilute the sugars and to eliminate the mouth. If it happens that you take a snack and you can not brush your teeth, finish your meal with a piece of cheese, raw vegetables or nuts.


Foods to avoid
The diet rich in carbohydrates is a major cause of tooth decay. The most cariogenic foods are the sticky or sugary confectionery, cakes or chocolate bars and sweet, soft drinks sirotées long by infants (bottles in bed) or by young children. It is therefore preferable to eat these foods quickly rather than stretch their consumption throughout the day. Foods rich in starch (complex carbohydrates: bread, cereals, pasta ...) can also be harmful if they remain long in the mouth or if consumed frequently during the day. The sugars in fruit are also cariogenic action. In addition, foods that do not produce saliva are more likely to cause cavities.