Theme III: Prevention is cheaper than cure

Type: Causes of Cavities

Source:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-
20352892#:~:text=Cavities%20are%20permanently%20damaged%20areas,not%20cleaning
%20your%20teeth%20well.
2. https://crest.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/cavities-tooth-decay/cavities-tooth-decay-
symptoms-causes-treatment
3. https://www.healthline.com/find-care/articles/dentists/tooth-cavities
4. https://www.deltadentalia.com/a-healthy-life/dental-health/what-is-the-cause-of-cavities/
5. https://www.colgate.com/en-in/oral-health/conditions/cavities/what-causes-cavitites-
formation-and-prevention-0314

Body:
Causes of Cavities
1. Poor Oral Hygiene:  Not brushing your teeth regularly allows plaque to
build up and attack the tooth enamel. 

2. Plaque Formation:  When not removed on regular basis, plaque adheres

to your teeth and builds up over time. In presence of sugar, plaque
produces acid which attacks the enamel of your tooth and eventually can
cause holes in your teeth, otherwise known as cavities.

3. Dry Mouth:  Saliva helps wash plaque from the teeth and buffer the acid.
If you have a dry mouth with very little saliva, plaque and tooth bacteria
may build up more quickly. 

4. Eating and Drinking:  This is where it all begins. Since we all have to
eat and drink to live, there’s no way to avoid this, but it does play a
significant role in the formation of cavities. When you eat or drink,
carbohydrates remain on your teeth until you brush. Even after brushing,
you may not be able to remove all food particles or carbohydrates from
your teeth. Foods that tend to cling to your teeth can increase your risk
for a tooth cavity.

5. Plaque Bacteria and Acid:  While most people don’t like to think about
it, bacteria naturally live in your mouth and on your teeth.
6. Medical Problems:  Some types of cancer treatment that expose the head
and neck to radiation can promote a tooth cavity by changing the makeup
of the saliva to promote increased bacterial growth.
 7. Enamel: Genes are the primary producer for enamel structure. The
stronger your enamel surface, the better it’s able to absorb key nutrients,
like fluoride and calcium.

8. Immune System: Your body contains 1,000 species of microorganisms,

which dictate your body’s immune response. If your immune system is a
PTO-accrual superstar, you’re likely skilled at fighting all sicknesses—
including gum disease.

9. Shape: Teeth, just like people, come in all shapes and sizes. Those cursed
with crowded chompers may experience difficulty flossing, making it
easy for plaque to stay put. Teeth with more grooves give bacteria a
surplus of hiding spots.

10. Snoring: Snoring can irritate your teeth (in addition to your spouse). The
more you snore, the less saliva you produce. And a dry mouth is like
spring break for bacteria—germs go wild. 

11. Constant Snacking: After you present sugar to your pearly whites,
it takes just 20 seconds to convert it to cavity-causing acid. Consistent
sipping and snacking reintroduce sugar to your smile.

Theme II: Diseases and types

Topic: Symptoms of Cavities
Source:
1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/signs-of-a-cavity#signs-of-a-cavity
3. https://www.absolutedental.com/blog/7-common-signs-and-symptoms-of-a-tooth-cavity/
4. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mouth/tooth-decay
5. https://oralb.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/cavities-tooth-decay/tooth-decay-cavities-
symptoms-causes-treatments/

Body:
Symptoms of Cavities

1. Hot and cold sensitivity: Sensitivity that lingers after eating hot or cold
food could be a sign that you have a cavity. When the enamel on your
tooth starts to wear away, it can affect the dentin, which is the hard tissue
layer below the enamel. Dentin contains lots of microscopic little hollow
tubes.

2. Lingering sensitivity to sweets: Although hot and cold are the most
common sensitivities when you have a cavity, Dr. Inna Chern, DDS,
founder of New York General Dentistry, says a lingering sensitivity to
sweets and sugary drinks can also point to tooth decay.

3. Toothache: An ongoing ache in one or more of your teeth can indicate a

cavity. In fact, pain is one of the most common symptoms of a cavity.

4. Staining on Teeth: Stains on your tooth may first appear as white spots.
As the tooth decay becomes more advanced, the stain can become darker.

5. Hole or pit in your tooth: If the white spot on your tooth (indicating the
start of a cavity) worsens, you will end up with a hole or pit in your tooth
that you may be able to see when you look in the mirror or feel when you
run your tongue over the surface of your teeth.

6. Swelling or Bleeding Gums: When the cavity is near the gum line, the
infection of the tooth can have an impact on the surrounding soft
tissue. This can result in bleeding or swollen gums
7. Pain and Discomfort: The tooth that has a cavity may be causing you
pain. You may find it difficult to bite down without sharp, shocking
pain.
8. Visible Discoloration or Dark Spots: When a cavity begins to develop,
it can cause dark spots on the tooth’s surface. At first, these spots may
look like simple staining and you may even assume that you just have
mild tooth discoloration.