If you’ve never felt the discomfort of a cavity, then you might not consider the condition a major concern. After all, you brush your teeth twice or more every day, and you’re careful not to indulge in too many sweets or sugary drinks. Nevertheless, a good hygiene routine and a healthy fear of sugar aren’t necessarily a guarantee against tooth decay—the disease that leads to cavity development. By understanding how they form, you can better protect your teeth from destructive cavities to preserve your healthy, natural smile.
Sugar Isn’t the Only Danger
Because of the countless warnings that many of us received as children about candy rotting our teeth, many patients believe that sugar is the main, and only relevant, reason for your teeth to cavities. The truth, however, is that sugar is only a small part of the tooth decay equation. The real culprit lies within the hundreds of kinds of bacteria that contribute to dental plaque; mainly Streptococcus mutans. (more…)