What Is Gum Disease?
7. Tooth Decay
When gum disease is present, tooth decay is often also present. This because the factors that contribute to gum disease can also contribute to tooth decay. The main cause of tooth decay is tartar, which is a scaly substance that can build up on the teeth if they are not cleaned sufficiently well.
Bacteria in tartar release chemicals and these chemicals are corrosive to teeth enamel. Over time, the enamel will gradually be eroded away until the enamel is gone, exposing the soft center inside. This can lead to cavities that can harbor bacteria, and this can result in tooth infections and other serious problems.
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