How does a cavity form?

There are two main factors that will yield tooth decay — bacteria building up in the mouth and a diet high in sugar and starch, you know the best foods! There are over 400 different types of bacteria that are normally present in the mouth. The bacteria combines with saliva and eventually forms plaque on your teeth.

Starch adds to how sticky the plaque will be, which begins to get hard if it remains on the teeth after a couple of days/weeks and turns into tartar or calculus. Bacteria converts sugar into acid that will eventually dissolve and break down tooth structures. This will cause weak points, which over time will lead to small holes. Dentists see this and say, “You have a cavity.”

If you don’t take care of these small holes more and more acid and food particles will build up and the hole will get deeper and deeper. Eventually if this is not taken care of this will cause more serious problems.