{"id":62,"date":"2018-07-31T23:21:02","date_gmt":"2018-07-31T23:21:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greatimpressiondental.com\/blog\/?p=62"},"modified":"2018-08-02T22:53:34","modified_gmt":"2018-08-02T22:53:34","slug":"dentist-boonville-explains-cavities-start","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greatimpressiondental.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/31\/dentist-boonville-explains-cavities-start\/","title":{"rendered":"A Dentist in Boonville Explains How Cavities Start"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Patient<\/p>\n

Scheduling a checkup with a dentist in Boonville<\/a> is essential for protecting your teeth and gums. A qualified dental professional can not only treat the causes of tooth decay, he or she can also explain how cavities start. In this post, we’ll cover the basics of the topic so you can more effectively manage your oral health.<\/p>\n

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Your Mouth Is a War Zone<\/h2>\n

It’s true. The inside of your mouth is the stage for an endless battle between your body and harmful bacteria. The goal of the bad guys is to set up shop on the surface of your teeth so they can enjoy an easy living scavenging nutrition from the food you eat. Here’s how this process works:<\/p>\n

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  1. Bacteria uses the sugar and starches from your food to survive. This causes the release of corrosive acid, which eats away at the enamel that forms the hard, protective outer shell of your teeth.<\/li>\n
  2. Your body counterattacks by rebuilding the enamel, using minerals in your saliva. Usually, it’s able to undo the damage caused by the acid-secreting bacteria.<\/li>\n
  3. You can tip the balance of power in the bacteria’s favor, however, by eating lots of sugary and starchy foods, by smoking, and by failing to brush and floss. When this happens, the enamel on your teeth begins to dissolve, exposing the sensitive inner layers to infection.<\/li>\n
  4. The result is a hole in the tooth, usually referred to as a cavity. If this isn’t treated by a dental professional, then the infection will continue to spread until the tooth itself is too far gone to save.<\/li>\n
  5. At this point, the dentist must perform an extraction. Otherwise, the bacteria could continue its harmful work by attacking the bones in your jaw and likely spreading throughout your body. Should that happen, possible complications include heart disease and stroke.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    How to Help Your Teeth Win the War<\/h2>\n

    All of us should do everything possible to help our teeth win their battle against bad bacteria. Here are some steps you can take:<\/p>\n