{"id":527,"date":"2024-10-02T22:32:18","date_gmt":"2024-10-02T22:32:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/?p=527"},"modified":"2024-11-22T00:56:15","modified_gmt":"2024-11-22T00:56:15","slug":"what-causes-cavities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.drruiz.com\/blog\/what-causes-cavities\/","title":{"rendered":"What Causes Cavities?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Cavities, also known as tooth decay or caries, are a common dental problem that affects people of all ages. According to the World Health Organization, dental caries is the most prevalent noncommunicable disease globally, with an estimated 2.3 billion people suffering from caries of permanent teeth and over 530 million children with caries of primary teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Roughly 90% of adults<\/a> in America have had or have a cavity. This is a staggering number. And it shows a serious problem for both people\u2019s oral health. And since the first step of any problem is to understand what causes it, we\u2019ll discuss what causes cavities in this article. Keep reading!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What causes cavities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Tooth decay, or a cavity, occurs when the tooth’s surface, or enamel, is damaged. This damage is caused by a buildup of plaque, a sticky mix of bacteria, acid, food, and saliva that forms on our teeth. When we consume foods and drinks that contain sugars and starches, the bacteria in plaque feed on these carbohydrates and produce acid as a byproduct. Over time, this acid can erode the enamel and lead to the formation of cavities, or holes on the tooth surface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dietary factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While bacteria play a significant role in the development of cavities, our diet also has a substantial impact. Foods and drinks high in sugar and carbohydrates provide the perfect fuel for cavity-causing bacteria. In fact, a systematic review published in the Journal of Dental Research<\/em> found a positive association between sugar consumption and the development of dental caries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other risk factors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to your diet, several other factors can increase the likelihood of developing cavities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n