Cavities - An Infectious Disease
Cavities (Dental Caries) are Bacterial
Caries is the technical name for cavities or tooth decay. Caries is an infectious disease and one of the most common diseases worldwide.
The bacteria that cause cavities is fed by sugar and starches and produces acid. The bacteria also thrives in an acidic environment - if your mouth is both acidic and sugary, it's a breeding ground for these bacteria to reproduce and attack your teeth.
Left untreated, caries will cause tooth decay and contribute to periodontal disease, which leads to tooth loss.
You can help yourself by visiting your dentist regularly for cleanings and check-ups. When you're not at the dentist, watch your diet for sugary and acidic foods and drinks. Also be careful of the length of exposure - hard candy doesn't have that many calories, but if you're eating it all day, your mouth is constantly exposed to sugars. Good old fashioned flossing and brushing will go a long way toward protecting your teeth by removing plaque and bacteria build-up and elminating sugars in your mouth.
There are screenings to assess risk as well as treatment programs available to treat caries. You can ask your dentist or visit Carifree for more information.