The main cause is bacteria or ‘germs’. When these form colonies which we might name as ‘plaque’, ‘tartar’ or ‘calculus’, they can really start to cause damage. Normally, our teeth are smooth and our mouths are moist keeping these germs at bay but sometimes they start to grow and get out of control..
We have a chart created just for you with some of the main risk factors leading to cavities because this is how to tell if you’re at a higher risk for tooth decay. If you answered yes to any of the questions on this chart, it could be a sign to stay on top of your oral health by reducing exposure to some of these factors.
Another way is by having regular dental checks to catch tooth decay early before it spreads. Once bacteria has gotten in and made a ‘hole’ in the tooth, it makes it impossible to clean out the germs inside the tooth with a toothbrush or floss.
Why is this important?
Because once a tooth gets damaged inside, it becomes weak and can collapse or be sore if the damage reaches the really sensitive parts inside it. When the damage is bad, it means the tooth needs to be soothed or reinforced with a strong shell to make it healthy again and that could be costly or time consuming.
If you want to know more about how big your holes are and if you have any, simply book a time to see us!