Cavities, which are small holes that form in your tooth as decay eats away its structure, are often recognized for the discomfort that usually accompanies their presence. As children, many of us were told not to eat candy or other sweets because too much sugar causes cavities. The truth, however, is that even a small amount of sugar, as well as other fermentable carbohydrates, can lead to cavities without the proper care and preventive measures. The more you know about cavities and their true source, the better prepared you will be to protect your teeth from the destructive disease, so to assess your cavity–fighting readiness, Astoria dentist Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz presents the following cavity quiz.
Cavity Questions
Sugar’s true threat to your teeth is that it feeds oral bacteria. What threatening substance is the result of certain oral bacteria metabolizing sugar and carbs?
- Acid
- Carbon dioxide
- Sulfur
If decay is caught in its preliminary stage, it may be reversed with minimal treatment and improved oral hygiene. What is the name of your tooth’s outer layer that fends of infection for as long as it can?
- Dentin
- Pulp
- Enamel
The germs that cause tooth decay are strengthened when plaque is allowed to stay on your teeth for 48 hours or more, after which it calcifies (hardens). What is the resulting insoluble substance called?
- Severe plaque
- Tartar
- Abscess
Cavity Answers
1—After consuming sugar, the oral bacteria that comprise plaque excrete lactic acid onto your teeth’s surface. The acid saps minerals from your teeth (the same minerals that comprise your tooth enamel) as it weakens your tooth’s outer layer, paving the way for tooth decay.
3—If enamel erosion is detected before it progresses into tooth decay, enamel-strengthening procedures such as fluoride treatments and improved dental hygiene can typically reverse the destruction before it affects your tooth’s main structure. If enamel wears away enough to expose the underlying dentin, then you will have to actively remove the infection to prevent it from afflicting your entire tooth.
2—Unlike plaque, tartar does not dissolve in water and cannot be removed from your teeth with a regular toothbrush. Your Astoria dentist or dental hygienist will have to manually remove the tough substance using professional dental cleaning equipment.
Keep Your Teeth Cavity Free in Astoria
To learn more about protecting your smile from tooth decay, or to schedule a dental consultation, contact Dr. Leibowitz by calling our Queens dental office at (718) 728-8320. We proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the surrounding communities.
