Tooth decay can be caused by various things; in medical terms, cavities are called caries, and they are caused by long-term destructive forces acting on tooth structures such as enamel and the tooth's inner dentin material.

These destructive forces include frequent exposure to foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates. Soda, candy, ice cream—and even milk—are common culprits. Left inside your mouth from not brushing and flossing, these materials break down quickly, allowing bacteria to do their dirty work in the form of a harmful, colorless, sticky substance called plaque.

Plaque combines with leftover food particles in your mouth to form harmful acids that destroy enamel and other tooth structures.

If cavities aren't treated early enough, they can lead to more serious problems requiring treatments such as root canal therapy.

Plaque is an insidious substance—a colorless, sticky film—that blankets teeth and creates an environment in which bacteria erode tooth enamel, cause gum irritation, infection in inner structures such as pulp and the roots, and, in extreme cases, tooth loss.

Some of the biggest culprits causing plaque are foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates, including soda beverages, juices, candy, and many kinds of pasta, breads, and cereals.

Plaque can also attack fillings and other restorations in your mouth, leading to more costly treatment later on.

Plaque can also irritate, inflame, and bleed your gums. Over time, the plaque underneath your gums may cause periodontal disease, leading to bone loss and eventual tooth loss.

Inside your teeth, decay can gradually destroy the inner layer or dentin.  It can also destroy the pulp, which contains blood vessels, nerves, other tissues, and the root. 

Periodontal disease is advanced gum disease. This serious condition occurs when the structures that support your teeth—the gums and bone—break down from the infection.  Pain, hypersensitivity, and bleeding are some of the signs of periodontal disease.

Simple Preventative Measures

The two best defenses against tooth decay and gum disease are a healthy, well-balanced diet and good oral hygiene, including daily brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing, and rinsing. Most public drinking water contains fluoride, but if you are unsure of your water supply, then use a good-quality mouth rinse containing fluoride. Your body's own saliva is also an excellent cavity fighter because it contains special chemicals that rinse away many harmful materials.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have a cavity:

• Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold water or foods.
• A localized pain in your tooth or near the gum line.
• Teeth that change color.

Baby Bottle Tooth Decay

Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by sugary substances in breast milk and some juices, which combine with saliva to form pools inside the baby's mouth.

If left untreated, this can lead to premature decay of your baby's future primary teeth, which can later hamper the proper formation of permanent teeth.

One of the best ways to avoid baby bottle tooth decay is not to allow your baby to nurse on a bottle while going to sleep. Encouraging your toddler to drink from a cup as early as possible will also help stave off the problems associated with baby bottle tooth decay.

Chewing sugarless gum between brushing is a good way to improve oral health; this stimulates the production of saliva, a powerful chemical that neutralizes plaque formation and rinses decay-causing food particles and debris from the mouth. Sometimes, our office can prescribe anti-cavity rinses or apply special anti-cavity varnishes or sealants to help fight decay.