Dental caries are cavities or holes that develop in the teeth. This condition is a common cause of visits to the dentist in Katy. Dental caries primarily affects young children, adolescents, and the elderly. However, a person of any age can get dental caries, including infants. Caries develop gradually over some time, and therefore, they may be asymptomatic during the early stages. However, as the cavity deepens, you may begin to experience some symptoms. The most typical sign is toothache which can stop you from carrying out routine activities.

You can see the cavities when you look inside your mouth using a mirror. Dental caries also cause tooth sensitivity, especially when you bite something sweet, cold, or hot. Dental caries can also stain your teeth. If you have any of these distressing symptoms due to dental caries, you can visit a dentist for treatment. The Katy teeth whitening dentist will take your complete medical history and examine your teeth to determine the cause of your problem. This article explains the risk factors of dental caries.

  1. Poor Oral Hygiene

One of the most typical risk factors for dental caries is poor oral hygiene. When you fail to brush your teeth daily, plaque collects on your tooth. This plaque is a suitable substrate for bacterial growth. As the bacteria invade your teeth, they begin to erode the tooth surface. A hole begins to form that can extend and involve the whole tooth, causing much pain and sensitivity. It is vital to brush your teeth at least twice daily and to floss them frequently. It is also essential to clean your toothbrush and allow it to dry to remove the bacteria.

  1. Dry Mouth

The role of saliva in the mouth is to help with food breakdown and then wash away the food particles and other debris from the surface of your tooth. Saliva also has some components that help to kill the bacteria that produce acid in the mouth. You may lack enough saliva in your mouth due to diseases or treatment with chemotherapy or radiotherapy. If you are dealing with this condition, you can get help from a dentist.

  1. Acid Reflux

If you have a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), you may be at risk of dental caries. This condition causes the stomach acid to flow upwards from the stomach and go back to the mouth. When the acid reaches the mouth, it can erode the tooth’s surface and expose it to bacteria that cause caries. This condition needs treatment with anti-acid medications.

  1. Dental Devices

If you have dental fillings, they can become weak with age and become loose. The loosening makes it possible for plaque to accumulate on the tooth. Other dental devices like braces may also allow bacteria and plaque to get on the surface and between the teeth, increasing the risk of dental caries. The risk of such dental devices causing dental caries is higher if you have poor oral hygiene. 

In conclusion, Dental caries occur when plaque builds on the tooth and bacteria invade the plaque, eroding the tooth. This condition can affect a person of any age, but it’s more common in young children and the elderly. The risk factors of dental caries include poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, and acid reflux. You can also develop dental caries if you have poor-fitting dental devices.