A bright smile, full of clean and white teeth with fresh breath, is a great confidence booster. Maintaining dental health is critical for your overall health. A good oral hygiene routine is one of the most effective ways to prevent plaque in teeth. Plaque buildup can accumulate into tartar without plaque cleaning, risking cavities and other dental issues.
Bad breath makes you feel self-conscious and can make you avoid social situations. You may even avoid talking to people or eating certain foods if you have bad breath.
Bad breath is caused by unhealthy bacteria in your mouth, which thrive on sugars, starches, and other food sources. These bacteria feed on these foods, causing inflammation and irritation that leads to bad breath. The good news is that there are several things you can do to manage your oral health so that your teeth stay healthy and clean. In order to treat cavities SelenBio Dental offers trusted dental sealants that can reduce the risk of cavity formation.
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What Causes Tooth Cavities?
Cavities are caused by plaque trapped between the teeth that harden into tartar, and bacteria break down into acid. A buildup of bacteria in the mouth causes tooth decay. This buildup can occur for several reasons, such as poor oral hygiene and exposure to sugar or sugar substitutes.
When plaque hardens into tartar (or calculus), bacteria break down the sugar in food left on your tooth surfaces over time. This creates a sulfuric acid environment around the teeth (also known as dental caries). The result is cavities and bad breath. The most common form of tooth decay is called caries.
Poor dental health can cause plaque, tartar, and cavities, leading to gingivitis and periodontitis. Plaque is the sticky white buildup on your teeth that leads to tartar buildup and cavities. Plaque can be created by bacteria that thrive on sugars and starches in our foods.
The most common causes include the following;
- Demineralization of the enamel layer of the tooth. The enamel is the outermost layer of your teeth and is extremely hard to wear away. This results in a cavity in the tooth. The cavity grows over time until it reaches a size that can no longer be repaired by filling or root canal treatment, or extraction (removal).
- Bacterial infection of the tooth surface due to poor oral hygiene and poor nutrition. Oral bacteria feed on dead food particles, plaque and saliva, which creates acid that dissolves minerals in your teeth and causes cavities.
- Acidic foods like soda, candy, fruit juice, etc., can dissolve minerals in your teeth and cause cavities if you eat these foods often enough and do not brush properly after eating them (see our article on how to prevent cavities).
The Effects of Teeth Cavities on Breath
Cavities and bacteria can cause bad breath. However, with the right control measures like plaque removal, dental health care, oral hygiene routine, or dental sealants for adults, you can treat cavities, and your breath can be cleaner again.
Cavities can cause many problems, including bad breath, which can embarrass many people. The most common symptom of tooth decay is bad breath. As the decay progresses, it spreads to other teeth, eventually reaching the gum tissue, which causes various symptoms.
Tooth decay can also cause bad breath because it damages the enamel on teeth and releases sulfur compounds into your mouth that create a stinky odor. This can happen if plaque builds up on teeth and gets into small cracks in tooth enamel where bacteria thrive.
Bad breath is caused by bacteria in your mouth that feed off sugars from the food you eat and drink. The bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay produce sulfur compounds, which give off a rotten odor. The bacteria can also irritate the gums and cause bleeding in the mouth.
Also, if food particles get stuck in gaps between your teeth and gums, they become breeding grounds for germs and other microbes that produce sulfur compounds contributing to bad breath.
Ways to Prevent Plaque and Cavities for Fresh Breath
Cavities are a common condition that affects millions of people every year. The good news is it’s always possible to prevent cavities. The bacteria in your mouth cause plaque, which is sticky and dark yellow. It forms on the teeth and gums and then hardens into tartar. Plaque contains bacteria that can cause cavities and tooth decay.
You can eliminate bad breath, control cavities, and keep your teeth strong and clean.
Regular Oral Hygiene Routine
A good oral hygiene routine is the best way to prevent cavities, gingivitis, bad breath, and other oral health problems. Brush your teeth at least twice daily by using quality oral hygiene products from reputable brands. If you’re having trouble brushing, talk with your dentist about how to improve your brushing technique. Brushing too hard can damage the enamel on your teeth.
You should also floss once daily to remove plaque and food particles between your teeth. You may need to learn how to brush your teeth correctly or make other changes in your oral hygiene routine.
Make Use of Dental Sealants
Dentists often use dental sealants to protect your teeth from decay-causing bacteria and plaque buildup. These dental sealants for adults are invisible, so they’re not visible on your teeth but can protect you against cavities and gum disease. You can choose between sealants with a dentist or opt for applying tooth sealants at home.
Dental Sealant vs Fillings
Dental sealants are thin plastic films placed over each tooth’s chewing surface after filling a cavity. The benefits of dental sealants are that they help repair any damage that has been done by plaque buildup, and they also help prevent the recurrence of cavities.
Sealants should be applied at least twice a year by your dentist or hygienist (dentist’s assistant), or you can opt for applying tooth sealants at home. If you want to protect your kids’ teeth, ensure you get quality dental sealants for kids.
Fillings can help ease pain, improve your smile and restore a healthy appearance. You can choose an in-office procedure with a dentist or an in-home procedure with an oral surgeon Boise.
Tooth fillings help restore teeth damaged by decay or injury, while dental sealants help protect the surface of your teeth from stains and damage.
Dental Health Care
In addition to brushing and flossing, regular dental checkups can prevent plaque from building up on your teeth. Talk with your dentist about a plan for preventing and treating gingivitis and periodontal disease, like opting for dental sealants for kids.
Making regular dental visits part of your routine is one of the best ways to prevent plaque and cavities. The dentist will check for signs of gum disease and other problems like tooth decay, toothaches, bleeding gums and bad breath. They also ensure that your teeth are healthy enough to prevent future problems.
Final Thoughts
Taking good care of your oral health is essential. Regular dental visits and cleaning using oral hygiene products can help prevent plaque and gingivitis from developing into cavities, making it easier for you to enjoy a lifetime of good oral health.
Good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and interventions like sealants or fillings can help prevent cavities and give you fresh breath. Ensure you use quality oral hygiene products from brands Keep your teeth clean and smooth. Avoid using whitening strips or other bleaching agents if they irritate your gums or cause bleeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do cavities cause bad breath?
Yes, a buildup of bacteria in the mouth causes tooth decay, which results in bad breath.
- Why do cavities cause bad breath?
The bacteria that cause cavities and tooth decay produce sulfur compounds, which give off a rotten odor.
- How do you control cavities to reduce bad breath?
Ensure you observe regular oral hygiene, you can also use dental sealants and book a regular dentist appointment.
- Are there recommended dental products?
Yes, you should use reputable brand products recommended by the dentistry association.