{"id":128,"date":"2025-03-13T23:22:21","date_gmt":"2025-03-13T23:22:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.woodlandpedo.com\/blog\/?p=128"},"modified":"2025-05-01T23:25:37","modified_gmt":"2025-05-01T23:25:37","slug":"new-bacteria-causes-cavities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woodlandpedo.com\/blog\/2025\/03\/13\/new-bacteria-causes-cavities\/","title":{"rendered":"As If Your Kid\u2019s Teeth Don\u2019t Have Enough Problems: A New Bacteria Helps Cause Tooth Decay"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Bacteria\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The human body is host to vast populations of residential bacteria, and many of them do a lot of good for your health in ways like helping digest food and discouraging the growth of harmful germs. However, every bunch has a few bad apples, and some of your oral bacteria can cause harm through infections like gum disease and tooth decay. Here\u2019s a brief guide to how a newly discovered germ may assist in the formation of cavities and how you can protect your children\u2019s teeth<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Do Cavities Form?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cavities are dental infections resulting from bacteria destroying part of a tooth\u2019s enamel and colonizing the resulting wound. This usually happens due to accumulations of acid caused by excessive consumption of harsh foods and beverages like soda, wine, and hot sauce as well as the byproducts excreted by harmful oral bacteria when they consume sugar. Acid weakens enamel on contact and leaves it vulnerable to infection, and cavities will not get better without treatment from a qualified dentist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which Bacteria Form Cavities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Scientists have long considered the bacteria Streptococcus mutans<\/em> to be the primary culprit behind the formation of plaque and secretion of acid that causes most tooth decay. However, a recent study has found that another species called Selenomonas sputigena<\/em> helps create structures within the plaque that allows it to provide better shelter to S. mutans <\/em>as it produces acid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Can I Prevent Cavities?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Luckily, S. sputigena<\/em> is quite vulnerable to the oral hygiene practices that the American Dental Association has been promoting for decades. To keep your child\u2019s teeth healthy, remember to have them:<\/p>\n\n\n\n