People are shocked when they find out that bacteria don't decay teeth.
Yes, that is correct. The bacteria don't aim at your tooth and start eating away. They don’t have a way to penetrate into your enamel or dentin and make it weak. They don't even do anything with the tooth material -- calcium, phosphorus, and fluoride -- that is lost when decay occurs.
Why do dentists and hygienists get all bent out of shape when you don’t brush your teeth if the brushing is only to remove the bacteria? So what causes decay?
Well those bacteria actually are involved in the process, but indirectly. They release, as a by-product of their metabolism of the sugars you eat, strong and weak acids around the little colony where they are living. Within seconds of you consuming simple sugars they start pumping out large quantities of acid, which have the ability to dissolve the enamel and dentin of your teeth. The attack of the acid on your tooth chemically dissolves tooth structure. This makes more room for the bacteria to grow into and get protection from things that can clean them off the surface, and the process accelerates.
Preventing decay involves doing a few things. First, stop the high sugar diet and reduce high acid foods also. Not only is sugar making you gain weight, it is providing food for the bacteria that release acid to dissolve your teeth. And the acid in foods and especially drinks (citrus is the worst, way above acid in sodas) keeps the environment in your mouth at a low pH, setting the stage for a quick dissolution of your enamel and dentin. Second, remove the bacteria that are associated with chemical cavitation of tooth structure, the faster the better. One study found that within 3 minutes of consumption, 85%+ of the damage was done to tooth structure. Brushing and flossing often and soon after meals will reduce the chance of decay developing. Third, strengthen the tooth structure by having fluoride in your toothpaste and, if necessary, having supplemental fluoride when you have your dental visits.
So now you know. And we will still get bent out of shape if you don’t brush, so do it often. : )
