What Is a Cavity and How to Avoid It?

A tooth may develop a cavity when the outer layer of tooth enamel becomes damaged by acid erosion. Every time you eat something your mouth becomes more acidic because bacteria in the mouth feed off leftover food particles, producing acid as a by-product. The acid softens your tooth enamel and over time can cause lesions. Directly underneath your tooth enamel is a much softer substance called dentine. Once your enamel is breached, bacteria will begin to attack your dentine gradually destroying it and causing a cavity in your tooth. The effects of acid erosion can be worsened if you snack in between meals or often eat highly acidic foods. This lengthens the amount of time your teeth are exposed to acid, increasing the damage.

You can avoid cavities by making sure you thoroughly brush at least twice a day and that you floss your teeth once-a-day. This removes the layer of plaque containing these bacteria, helping to keep your teeth clean and cavity-free. If you can, try not to snack in between meals or ask for personalised dietary advice on choosing more tooth friendly foods