Cavities
What actually causes cavities?
Bacteria in your mouth feed on sugar and starch, and produce acid in return. Mixed with food and saliva that becomes plaque, which slowly dissolves the enamel until a hole appears.
How a cavity forms
The bacteria living in everyone's mouth feast on the sugar and starch in what we eat, and their thanks is a splash of acid. Mixed with food and saliva, that becomes plaque — the sticky film that coats your teeth and leaves them feeling fuzzy by evening. Left on the tooth, that acid slowly dissolves the enamel, and once enough mineral is lost, a hole appears.
It isn't only how much sugar you eat, but how often. Constant snacking and sweet drinks mean your teeth face wave after wave of acid with no time to recover between them, which is what really stacks the odds.
What tips the balance
Frequent snacking, sugary drinks, rushed or missed cleaning and a dry mouth all make cavities more likely, because they either feed the bacteria or leave the acid sitting longer. A dry mouth is a quiet culprit, since saliva is what normally rinses and neutralises all of that.
The good news is the whole thing is very manageable. Steady brushing twice a day, cleaning between the teeth daily, easing off constant sweet snacking, and keeping your regular check-ups keep it firmly in check — and let us catch any soft spot while it's still tiny.
Common questions
Is sugar the only thing that causes cavities?
Sugar and starch feed the bacteria, but frequency, a dry mouth and rushed cleaning all matter too. It's the repeated acid attacks over time, more than any single treat, that wear enamel down.
Can I stop a cavity before it needs a filling?
Sometimes, if it's caught at the very first chalky, softened stage — fluoride and less sugar can help it re-harden. Once decay reaches the softer layer beneath, it needs a filling.