Tooth decay is such a frequent problem in most people that few see it for what it is: a disease that affects our health, and not a simple black hole that hurts.
According to data from the Council of Dentists, caries affects between 92% and 94% of adults from 35 years of age. In addition, it is considered the second most prevalent disease in the world, since it depends on a series of factors for its development, such as the person himself, sugar, bacteria, and time.
What is caries then? It is a chemical reaction, bacteria produce acid by metabolizing the sugar in our diet that has been deposited on the teeth. This reaction produces the wear of the enamel, acid corrosion, which we can compare to the acid rain that our rivers and forests suffer.
According to recent studies, there individual factors of each person that act as protectors against cavities, for example saliva and tooth enamel. Saliva can have a buffering effect against acid, that is, it can reduce acidity and protect teeth against cavities. In the case of enamel, it can be more or less resistant to this acid, since its composition is determined by genetic inheritance.
What can we do? Fortunately, advances in dentistry allow us not only to effectively remedy cavities, but also know our risk factors through simple saliva analysis tests, and a concentration analysis test of Streptococcus mutans, the main bacteria responsible for the production of caries, which tell us whether or not we are prone to the appearance of this.
According to Dr. Iñaki Cercadillo, director of the Ahoa Dental Clinic, "we propose that our patients carry out a caries risk analysis, as a preventive and action measure. Knowing which of the factors involved, in this case saliva and bacteria, are favorable to the appearance of caries is important for decision-making, and even more so for our patients to become aware of factors such as diet and sugar intake. .».