Cavities, also known as tooth decay or caries, are permanently damaged areas in the hard surface of your teeth that develop into tiny openings or holes. Cavities are caused by a combination of factors, including bacteria in your mouth, frequent snacking, sipping sugary drinks, and not cleaning your teeth well. Here are some of the main causes of cavities:

• Plaque buildup: Dental plaque is a clear sticky film that coats your teeth. Its due to eating a lot of sugars and starches and not cleaning your teeth well. When sugars and starches arent cleaned off your teeth, bacteria quickly begin feeding on them and form plaque. Plaque acids gradually dissolve the tooth’s enamel, leading to cavity formation.

• Frequent snacking and sipping sugary drinks: Not cleaning your teeth well, frequent snacking, and sipping sugary drinks are the main culprits behind cavities. Sugary, starchy foods and drinks (fruit, candy, bread, cereal, sodas, juice, and milk) feed bacteria in your mouth, which convert these carbohydrates into acids. The acids, along with food, saliva, and bacteria, form plaque, which attacks the enamel, causing demineralization.

• Poor oral hygiene: Not brushing or flossing regularly, not using mouthwash, or not brushing your tongue will leave your teeth vulnerable to decay. Brushing your teeth for less than two minutes each time can also lead to cavities.

• Dry mouth: Excessive dryness of the mouth decreases the presence of the preventative enzyme lysozyme in your saliva, limiting its ability to fight bacteria and leading to tooth decay.

• Genetic predisposition: Your taste ability can leave you genetically predisposed to certain flavors. As a result, you might prefer foods that contribute to cavities. Some gene variants can change your saliva, and your microbiome contributes to the bacteria in your body. Healthy bacteria can help you fight off cavity-causing bacteria.

• Medications: Certain medications can also jeopardize your oral hygiene. Chewable vitamins and sugary cough drops can cause you to develop cavities.

Cavities can affect all layers of your tooth, and if left untreated, they get larger and affect deeper layers of your teeth. Regular visits to the dentist, good oral hygiene, and a healthy diet can help prevent cavities[[2]](https://my.clevelandcli...