How Does Tooth Decay Develop?

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On 09/01/202509/01/2025By Rafał KleszczewskiIn Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia, Stomatologia

Do you know that tooth decay is a problem affecting over 90% of adult Poles? Tooth decay can permanently damage teeth, and if left untreated, can lead to tooth loss as well as many additional problems and ailments, even beyond the oral cavity. How many bacteria live in the oral cavity? Over 300 species of bacteria inhabit our mouths, with a total number around 50 billion! However, only some of them cause tooth decay, specifically those that specialize in breaking down sugars, producing organic acids, and forming extracellular sugars (glucan and fructan). It is estimated that tooth decay is one of the most common health problems worldwide! Additionally, tooth decay is a disease that affects people of all ages, both baby teeth and permanent teeth. How does tooth decay develop? How quickly does it progress? How can we prevent the development of tooth decay?

What is Tooth Decay?

Tooth decay is an infectious disease (Latin: caries dentium) caused by bacteria (primarily L. acidophilus and Streptococcus mutans). For tooth decay to develop, carbohydrates that these microorganisms feed on are needed, as well as time and individual conditions – so-called personal predispositions.

Of course, individual microorganisms cannot be seen, but decay-causing bacteria are the main component of dental plaque – they make up as much as 80% of the mass of the unsightly, yellow coating on the tooth surface. The remaining 20% is the organic substrate, which makes it easier and more effective for microorganisms to adhere to the tooth enamel.

Image 17: Treating Tooth Decay

How Does Tooth Decay Develop?

Tooth decay is a disease that develops gradually, attacking successive layers and tissues of the teeth.

Here is how tooth decay develops step by step:

  • Formation of Dental Plaque – under favorable conditions (access to sugar and inadequate tooth brushing), bacteria strongly adhere to the teeth.
  • Dental Plaque Hardens and Tartar Forms – this is a protective shield for bacteria, which can freely penetrate into the teeth.
  • Organic Acids Produced by Bacteria Attack the Enamel, destroying the minerals of the hard tissues protecting the dentition – the formation of cavities begins.
  • Bacteria Attack the Dentin – it is soft and significantly less resistant to the destructive action of acids; attacked teeth become more sensitive, may hurt, and carious cavities/holes begin to be visible to the naked eye.
  • Microorganisms Penetrate the Tooth Pulp, the deepest tooth tissue containing nerves and blood vessels – the pulp irritated by bacteria swells, causing pain that can be felt not only in the affected tooth but also outside it (radiating pain to the jawbone or mandible); preserving the tooth at this stage requires root canal treatment.
  • Destruction of the Tooth Root by decay usually means the necessity of tooth extraction.

How Quickly Does Tooth Decay Progress?

Tooth decay develops relatively slowly – significantly faster in baby teeth than in permanent teeth. The rate of disease progression is also influenced by individual conditions (including pH in the oral cavity, saliva quantity), diet, and oral hygiene. Cavities can appear within a few months or several years from the onset of tooth decay.

Due to the speed of tooth decay development, the disease is divided into:

  • Acute Decay (rapid development, occurs primarily in young individuals, on poorly mineralized teeth),
  • Chronic Decay (slow progression, most often associated with the deposition of secondary dentin, which slows disease progression),
  • Arrested Decay (decay development is halted, usually as a result of implementing more advanced and effective hygiene treatments),
  • Flourishing Decay (rapid development of decay affecting many teeth simultaneously, most often associated with poor hygiene and excessive consumption of sweets).

Image 18: Preventing Tooth Decay

Preventing Tooth Decay – How to Protect Yourself?

The risk of tooth decay can be minimized by implementing appropriate preventive measures.

Key aspects of decay prevention include:

  • Proper Oral Hygiene – regular tooth brushing (twice a day), brushing with the highest quality toothpaste (which must contain fluoride) and dental floss, as well as using mouth rinses.
  • A Properly Balanced Diet – choosing products that positively affect the condition of teeth, with minimal sugars that are the primary food for bacteria, avoiding very acidic juices and foods, avoiding sticky products (that cling to the hard tissues of the tooth) and those that can easily get stuck in the gaps between teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum after meals helps remove food residues from teeth and increases saliva production in the oral cavity.
  • Regular Oral Health Check-Ups – visits to the dentist allow for assessing the risk of tooth decay, detecting the first signs of decay (before microorganisms overcome the hard tissues of the teeth), and implementing necessary treatments to halt enamel demineralization.

How Does Tooth Decay Affect the Body?

Untreated tooth decay is a problem that can affect not only our appearance and well-being but also the health of the entire body. Healthy teeth enable proper biting and grinding of food. If we suffer from painful cavities in our teeth – food may not be ground sufficiently, which in turn burdens our digestive system. Untreated carious conditions translate into an increased risk of systemic diseases, cardiovascular and kidney diseases, as well as eye or joint problems.

How to Treat Tooth Decay?

There is no cure for tooth decay – the best way to combat this dental disease is through the preventive measures described above. Treating tooth decay is the task of a dentist, who has a range of tools and methods to effectively treat decay at various stages of its advancement. Depending on the size of the cavity, the dentist may remove the decayed/affected surface of the tooth, thoroughly clean the tooth, and then place a filling. In the case of extensive damage, e.g., to molars, it may be necessary to rebuild the crown or place a crown. If decay has reached the roots of the tooth – the doctor will have to perform root canal treatment.

Avoid the causes of tooth decay and don’t feed bacteria with sugar! Choose a properly balanced diet that meets all your body’s needs – for every micronutrient. Regularly visit the dental office and take care of the hygiene of your teeth, gums, and tongue!

Make an appointment for a dental check-up