The mouth has different bacteria types, but most of these help in the digestion of food and maintaining overall health. Unfortunately, some of these bacteria are harmful. These are usually found in the plaque, which is a thin, sticky film that forms over the teeth. The bacteria releases acid whenever it interacts with sugar in food, and, in turn, the acid leads to cavity formation. To help prevent them, here’s everything you need to know.

What are cavities?
One of the most common health problems globally, cavities are one of the first signs of dental problems due to excessive sugar. They’re generally observed among young children, teens, and older adults. However, individuals can have cavities at any age.

Cavities are permanently damaged parts on the surface of your teeth that slowly develop into small holes or openings. Although these small cavities may seem insignificant in the initial stages, they can cause severe infections, toothache, and even loss of teeth. Also referred to as caries or tooth decay, cavities occur due to a combination of several factors, including eating foods with excessive sugar, bacteria in the mouth, drinking sugary drinks, frequent snacking, and not maintaining proper dental hygiene.

How do cavities form?
The bacteria in the mouth is the root cause of the formation of cavities in the teeth. This bacteria releases an acid, which degrades the teeth’ enamel when not managed. The enamel is the protective layer of the teeth. As the enamel wears away, the teeth become weaker, and over time, the weakened tooth’s surface starts to break, leading to cavities. The bacteria enters these cavities and affects the inner layers of the teeth, causing tooth decay.

Once the bacteria reach the dentin layer, you will experience the symptoms of cavities, such as severe pain and sensitivity. If left untreated for a long time, the bacteria get to the tooth pulp, which will require you to have a root canal treatment. In some cases, the decay can also occur in the jawbone.

The consumption of sugar causes the decay by the bacteria. Even a little bit of sugar on the surface of the teeth can be a food source for the bacteria, quickening the decay process. Thus, cavities are rapidly formed due to excessive sugar in foods and beverages you may eat.

Signs of dental problems due to excessive sugar
The signs generally differ depending on the extent and location of the cavities. In the initial stages, there are no symptoms experienced. As the decay gets deeper and the cavity grows larger, there can be several symptoms, including the following:

Sudden toothache that comes and goes with any definite causes.
Intense sensitivity of teeth, especially while eating extremely cold or hot foods.
Mild to intense pain when drinking or eating something that has sugar.
Visible pits or holes in the affected tooth.
Black or brown staining on the surface of the affected tooth.
Mild to severe pain when biting down on food.

How to protect teeth from cavities?
You can take certain steps to avoid the formation of cavities due to excessive sugar. Here are a few tips for the same.

Brush your teeth regularly.
Lower the intake of sugary foods and beverages.
Get your teeth cleaned by a dental hygienist on a regular basis.
Undergo regular dental health checkups to monitor cavities.
Get treated for cavities as soon as you start to experience any of the above symptoms.
Avoid constant snacking and sipping.
Eat foods that are healthy for your teeth, such as raw fruits and vegetables, unsweetened coffee, and plain yogurt.