Veranda Dentistry Logo
Browse by Page
Connect on Social Media
New Patients Start Here
Choose Your Location
Right Arrow Icon

The Science of Tooth Decay

Posted on April 27th, 2018

If you’ve visited our blog before, you know that we love to talk about tooth decay. The chances are, everyone has had or will have tooth decay at one point. It is classified by the National Institutes of Health as the most prevalent disease in the world. Today we’re going to talk about a few of the factors involved in causing tooth decay and what your Pleasant Hill dentists at Veranda Dentistry can do to protect your smile.

The Unique Makeup of Your Teeth

Even within your own mouth, teeth vary widely in shape, size, and enamel quality and consistency. Some teeth are harder than others, and some – especially molars – may have deep fissures that can trap bacteria, causing decay. Additional defects in enamel formation can cause yellow or brown areas on your teeth that are more susceptible to caries (tooth decay).

The pH Level in Your Mouth

Research indicates that acidity in your mouth plays an important role in developing tooth decay. A low pH (an acidic state) allows decay-causing bacteria to thrive. Acidity is affected by the quality and flow of saliva, diet, and a number of other factors. For example, after eating carbohydrates people experience a temporary drop in the pH of their saliva.

Diet

One of the biggest and most easily controlled risk factors for tooth decay is diet. An unhealthy diet rich in sugars and sticky foods will increase the amount of plaque formed and lower the acidity of your saliva.

Saliva

You may think of it as gross, but Dr. Chad Johnson, and the entire Veranda Dentistry team regard saliva as a wonderful substance that is essential for the health of your digestion and your smile. Saliva is instrumental in keeping the acidity in your mouth at optimal levels, helping teeth remineralize after acid attacks from tooth decay bacteria, and washing away plaque from teeth. Reduced flow (dry mouth) or inadequate quality of saliva can aid in the formation of caries and will almost certainly give you bad breath.

Your Oral Hygiene Regimen

The best weapon you have against tooth decay is a commitment to good oral hygiene. That means brushing and flossing properly twice a day.

While some of these factors are beyond your control, visiting your Pleasant Hill dentists for cleanings twice a year and regular checkups will help you keep your smile happy, healthy, and decay-free. Call Veranda Dentistry today to schedule your next appointment!

Accessibility
Accessibility Options

Accessibility On Our Website

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 are recognized and acknowledged as the international standard measure of success. We regularly test our site to ensure we meet or exceed that standard and also consistently look for ways to improve the web site’s performance, speed, and accessibility.

We are committed to continuously improving access to our goods and services by individuals with disabilities. If you are unable to use any aspect of this website because of a disability, please call (515) 650-5531 and we will provide you with prompt personalized assistance.

If you have trouble seeing web pages, the US Social Security Administration offers these tips for optimizing your computer and browser to improve your online experience.

If you are looking for mouse and keyboard alternatives, speech recognition software such as Dragon Naturally Speaking may help you navigate web pages and online services. This software allows the user to move focus around a web page or application screen through voice controls.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing, there are several accessibility features available to you.

Closed Captioning
Closed captioning provides a transcript for the audio track of a video presentation that is synchronized with the video and audio tracks. Captions are generally visually displayed over the video, which benefits people who are deaf and hard of hearing, and anyone who cannot hear the audio due to noisy environments. Most of our website’s video content includes automated captions. Learn how to turn captioning on and off in YouTube.

Volume Controls
Your computer, tablet, or mobile device has volume control features. Each video and audio service has its own additional volume controls. Try adjusting both your device’s volume controls and your media players’ volume controls to optimize your listening experience.