Tooth Decay

Fighting Cavities is Still the Dentist's Top Job...Yours Too!

Tooth decay, or dental caries, occurs when bacteria in the mouth colonize tooth surfaces. Metabolic waste products in the form of acids and enzymes cause the calcium in the teeth to be dissolved. The tooth surface is softened, allowing the bacteria to penetrate further into the tooth and the process is repeated.

If left unchecked, the dental infection can penetrate to the pulp of the tooth where it can cause pain and lead to infections of the surrounding bone. In rare cases, people have even died from untreated dental infections.

Tooth decay is preventable. Keeping the teeth free of bacteria by brushing and flossing, Removing the bacteria's food supply by reducing sugar intake, and hardening the teeth using fluoride treatment are all effective methods of protecting teeth from decay