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Dental hygiene tips for healthy teeth & gums

Common Diseases That Cause Tooth Decay

In most cases, children and adults suffer from tooth decay, also referred to as dental caries. But what is the reason behind it? Or how can you stop it from happening? Do you need to do more than just brush your teeth and avoid sugar?

Well, there are many things that are related to dental cavities, and it is imperative to prevent them. Our oral health is directly related to our overall health, and if we do not pay enough attention to our dental health, we will put our bodily health in danger. 

There are multiple tips and tricks all over the internet that show how you can keep cavities or decay away. But people always need help understanding the scientific reason behind it and why it actually happens. 

Therefore, if you are interested in knowing what are some of the common diseases that cause cavities then keep on reading. 

Why does a cavity happen?

Before jumping into the details let us see why cavities happen in the first palace. Anyone can develop cavities in their teeth. A dental cavity can be referred to as small holes on the hard surface of the tooth. 

There are a variety of factors that can cause cavities, which are also called caries or dental cavities.  There are various factors that play a role in the development of caries, and it is more than just your poor oral health. 

In many cases, tooth decay is the result of something larger and potentially more risky, occurring in the body. Poor oral hygiene is a part of what can cause cavities but on a larger scale, there are many common diseases that contribute to the same. 

What are some diseases that cause dental cavities?

We all know our mouth is home to thousands of bacteria, and when not taken care of properly, it can harm our oral health as well as our bodily health. Therefore, let us see some of the common diseases that occur from the bacteria in our mouth which in turn cause tooth decay: 

  • Diabetes: Well, we all know the obvious reason why diabetes is at the top of the list. Diabetic patients often experience dry mouth because they lack saliva. Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes the saliva in your mouth creates a barrier between bacteria and your teeth. Therefore, less saliva makes the teeth easily prone to dental cavities. 
  • Inflammation: Next is any inflammation or heartburn. There are many reasons why people suffer from inflammation. Bodily inflammation can greatly impact the stomach acids and when they flow into your mouth they wear off the teeth’s enamel layer causing your teeth to become more sensitive to cavities. 
  • Autoimmune Disease: When the body attacks itself, it is said to be autoimmune. From the kidneys to the salivary glands, everything can get affected by autoimmune disease. Some autoimmune diseases impact the mouth which can cause Sjögren’s syndrome leading to dry mouth, and dry mouth is one of many reasons for a dental cavity.
  • Eating disorders: Eating disorders such as anorexia and others can lead to significant cavities and erosion of the teeth. Repetitive vomiting in eating disorders can dissolve enamel by washing stomach acid over it. In addition to interfering with saliva production, eating disorders can also affect digestion. All these problems can collectively lead to dental cavities. 

These were some health issues that can lead to tooth erosion or decay. In order to maintain your dental health, you must take your overall health seriously and visit your dentist often if you suffer from any of the above-mentioned health problems.