Thread by @dr_zaniedinika

A thread on Tooth Decay

How does it happen? How do we stop it???

Do you have or have you ever had a hole in your tooth and you're wondering how it even happened???

Or have you heard people saying there is a worm that eats away your tooth?? Lol!!

I am here to lay down the facts for you...

For tooth decay to happen we talk of 4 main factors
1. The Tooth itself
2. Plaque Bacteria
3. Sugar in foods
4. Time

We all develop a thin fuzzy film filled with bacteria which we call plaque. When this bacteria comes in contact with sugars in our foods, an acid is formed which then eats away your tooth causing a hole, buri, mwena, tooth cavity.

Time comes into play by the mere fact that the longer you have plaque covering your teeth, the higher the chances of you developing tooth decay.

Are you running your tongue over your teeth right now??? Lol!!

This is why it's important to brush teeth regularly and twice a day

Also, the longer your teeth are exposed to sugary foods the higher the chances of developing tooth decay so the more you snack on sweet foods, the more likely you are to develop cavities

Try your very best to have sweet foods with your meals as a dessert not as snacks in between

Lastly, salivary flow is low at night therefore you don't have that natural washing away of plaque or food. Meaning bacteria is having a blast at night waiting to snack on some sugars to form that acid.

Therefore the most important time to brush your teeth is actually at night.

I hope this demystifies any myths you may have heard and we may all practice better oral health habits especially during these times.

Catch you in my next thread 🤓 #Dentist #OralHealthMatters