What Causes Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is the presence of a cavity or cavities that exist in your mouth and aren't properly treated for a period of time. Decaying or decomposition of the tooth occurs when bacteria that is present in your mouth starts to make acid, which begins to erode and eat away at the tooth itself. If tooth decay is left untreated for too long, it will cause an infection which generally leads to severe pain and then the loss of the tooth. The way that tooth decay starts to affect the tooth is from the outside in. It first targets the enamel of the tooth and then progresses to the deeper layers, which includes the pulp. This is where the sensitive nerves and blood vessels are. Here are some of the most common causes of tooth decay.

Improper Nutrition

If you have a very poor diet, you are more susceptible to dealing with tooth decay. Foods that are high in sugar or acid can be very harmful to the tooth. This is because sugar is a great platform for bacteria to grow from. Sugar can help bacteria to fester and even turn certain sugary chemicals into acid. This is also the case with many acidic foods and drinks like specific fruits and soda. Most people are shocked to learn that certain foods that are actually healthy for the body are unhealthy for the teeth. In order to ensure a healthy, beneficial diet for your teeth, eliminate both sugar and acid from your daily consumption.

Poor Oral Hygiene

So many cases of tooth decay are directly linked to simply not taking care of the teeth and mouth. Brushing regularly is not optional. You must ensure that you are brushing your teeth thoroughly at least twice a day and flossing on a regular basis as well. Some people don't realize that brushing requires focus and attention to detail. You must brush for at least two full minutes, targeting every angle of your teeth. Improper oral hygiene is the leading cause of tooth decay. Take care of your teeth or it will potentially cause you a mountain of bills and pain later on in life.

Dry Mouth

If you suffer from dry mouth due to lack of hydration or medication, this can be something that is contributing to your tooth decay that you aren't even aware of. This is because saliva naturally helps to inhibit the growth of plaque. If you have a problem with saliva production, you are leaving your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay because over time the plaque in your mouth will continue to grow and become even more of a problem thus leading to the erosion of your teeth.

Tooth Grinding

There are so many people who suffer from the misfortune of grinding their teeth. This typically happens when they are asleep or have incredibly stressful lives. Making sure to properly manage stress will help mitigate this issue, however, opting for a night guard or mouth piece can help to correct the issue all together. The grinding leaves the teeth enamel broken down and more apt to fall victim to bacteria that decays teeth. 

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Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.