In fact, hundreds of hypotheses have been formulated to seek an explanation on the pathogenesis and origin of caries. What is certain is that caries is due both to exogenous causes and to endogenous factors, in the presence of a particular genetic predisposition.
Constitutional factors heavily affect the triggering of caries: some individuals, in fact, seem exceptionally resistant to cariogenic processes, unlike others who are extremely prone to caries. In any case, familiarity with the disease could derive from the transmission of habits unhealthy, such as excessive sugar consumption or poor oral hygiene.
Curiosity
Some constitutionally robust people, despite having acquired good dexterity in proper home dental cleaning (with toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss), are predisposed to dental infections in general and to caries in particular.
Other individuals, on the other hand, despite having bad and unregulated dental hygiene and a slender build, show an extraordinary constitutional resistance to caries.
, makes it more viscous, or lowers its pH (as occurs, for example, during pregnancy) predisposes the teeth to bacterial attack. For example, diseases such as diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, Sjögren's syndrome and sarcoidosis favor caries precisely because they reduce the amount of saliva. Even the administration of some drugs (eg antihistamines and antidepressants) can decrease the amount of salivary fluid, thus favoring tooth decay.There are also individual differences in the degree of dental mineralization; obviously, the more the tooth is rich in minerals and the more it will be protected from external aggressions.
, originates from the precipitation of proteins and salivary mucoids: in similar circumstances, bacteria adhere to them and proliferate.
Although there are hundreds of microorganisms, it predominates in the fully formed bacterial plaque Streptococcus mutans (especially the strains cricetus, rattus, ferus, sobrinus), the Lactobacillus acidophilus and actinomycetes.
Among these, the lactobacillus has the highest cariogenic power. It feeds on the glucose present in food residues, forming lactate as a waste product. Thanks to its acidity, this substance is able to dissolve the dental enamel a little at a time, affecting the dentin.
The streptococcus mutans it intervenes instead in the formation of the bacterial plaque on which the other pathogenic microorganisms adhere.
It should be noted that the aforementioned bacteria, involved in caries, are not specific: although they cause the "onset" of the infection, they do not act through their toxins, but by releasing the products of their metabolism.
Bacteria are not the only ones responsible for tooth decay. In fact, there are other factors that can facilitate its appearance. Let's see them in detail.
Diet
It has been shown that excessive consumption of sugary foods (candies, sweets, sugary drinks and the like) alters the natural bacterial balance of the oral cavity, predisposing the subject to dental caries.
Sucrose is in fact formed by the union of a fructose molecule and a glucose molecule, which as we have seen represents the main nourishment for lactobacilli.
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Some statistical studies show that those who consume sugar between meals more than 4 times a day are highly predisposed to tooth decay.
The stickiest sweeteners (think for example caramel) are the most cariogenic ones because they tend to stay in contact with bacterial plaque longer.
In general, it is possible to state that an individual tends to develop fewer cavities if he feeds properly, fully respecting the methods of cleaning the oral cavity.
Furthermore, to prevent tooth decay, it is advisable to regularly take an adequate amount of mineral salts (calcium, magnesium, fluorine and phosphorus) and vitamins, which are essential to ensure the health of the dental tissues.
Tobacco
The smoking habit triggers a series of chain events that are literally disastrous for the health of the teeth.
In addition to making your teeth yellow, smoking promotes dental infections, including tooth decay. Suffice it to say that some types of tobacco contain a high sugar content, consequently increasing the susceptibility to tooth decay. But that's not all: smoking is a significant risk factor for periodontal disease (pyorrhea), which in turn is responsible for gingival recession.
The receding gums favor the progressive exposure of the dental necks, which therefore become more and more visible in the mouth. In such circumstances, the bacteria protagonists of the cariogenic process are facilitated in their unstoppable destructive process: without necessarily perforating the enamel, the pathogenic microorganisms find the ideal conditions to create deep damage to the dental pulp (in a relatively short time) starting right from the collar. dental.
.From what has been said, it is easy to understand how it is essential to dedicate a few minutes of your time to dental hygiene every day, and several times a day: healthy and strong teeth constitute an (almost) unassailable protective shield against the onset of caries.
Continue reading with: Caries: Symptoms, Complications, Treatment
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