Caries are holes in the teeth. They are often caused by the use of sweet products such as candy and sweet drinks. Sometimes caries is caused by the action of acids, for example carbonated soft drinks. In this case we often speak of erosion of the tooth enamel. In some cases, medications are the culprit. Antibiotics are also known to cause caries. The sweet drink causes a rapid mold. Antibiotics from the tetracycline group cause discoloration of teeth and molars. This can occur in both the unborn child during pregnancy and in the young child.
What is caries?
Another name for caries is cavities. And by that we mean cavities in teeth. Cavities are caused by bacteria. They do not just happen, there is a process that precedes them.
When we eat, food particles adhere to the teeth and molars. During the day, a deposit is formed on the teeth in the form of plaque. We do not see plaque, but you can scrape it off the surface of the tooth with your fingernail. It looks like a white sticky layer. This layer consists of food remains, mucus and bacteria. Most of the plaque contains bacteria.
If plaque is not removed, the bacteria have the opportunity to break down the enamel of the teeth. The bacteria do this by producing an acid from sugar. This acid attacks the enamel. Later, the dentin is affected: cavities develop.
Plaque that is not removed daily will harden. We call this tartar. Tartar cannot be removed yourself and provides a good breeding ground for bacteria. In addition, tartar forms a rough surface, making it easier for new plaque to adhere to it.
Cavities are caused by eating sweets, right?
It is true that caries is usually caused by eating sweets. Sweets, but also sweet drinks, contain a lot of sugar. This is converted into acid by the bacteria. But other products also damage tooth enamel. Mainly carbonated and acidic products contribute to the development of cavities. When cavities occur as a result of acids, we do not speak of caries but of erosion. Tooth enamel is broken down as a result of the action of harmful acids (think of carbonated soft drinks).
Medicines are also responsible for caries
Something that many people do not think about: caries can also occur due to the use of medication. Medicines may contain acids or sugars. In addition, some medications cause belching (belching) with rising stomach acid, or vomiting. This also damages the tooth enamel. In addition, some medications cause dry mouth. Less saliva also means less protection against harmful bacteria.
Discoloration of teeth and molars
Some types of antibiotics can cause discoloration of teeth and molars. Pregnant women who use antibiotics sometimes have children who develop discolored baby teeth. Children up to the age of 13 can develop discolouration of their primary teeth when using antibiotics. This mainly concerns the following types of antibiotics:
- doxycycline
- minocycline
- oxytetracycline
- terramycin
- all antibiotics from the tetracycline group
Antibiotics from the above group form a mixture with calcium ions, among other things, that accumulate in teeth and molars and also in bone tissue. Children up to the age of 13 can sometimes be better treated with other antibiotics to prevent discoloration of the teeth. The discolorations that occur are often yellow to gray and do not disappear.
Sweet syrup
Children and sometimes adults are often given antibiotics in the form of a sweet syrup. This sweetness can cause caries. This problem is experienced in both baby teeth and permanent (adult) teeth. The sweet syrup mainly causes rapid formation of caries, not as we are used to with normal ‘sweets’. To prevent this rapid form of caries from developing, an antibiotic that is sugar-free should always be chosen as much as possible. These shapes are not harmful to the teeth.
At a later stage
As far as can be judged, the use of antibiotics at a young age does not have any adverse consequences for the teeth at a later stage. Anyone who was regularly given antibiotics at the age of one, for example, will not suddenly develop caries as a result at the age of thirteen. If caries does develop at this age, this has more to do with poor dental care and incorrect sweet/drinking behavior. Brushing behavior after eating or drinking can also have an influence. For example, it is known that eating fruit or drinking acidic drinks in combination with brushing your teeth actually causes faster breakdown of tooth enamel. Toothpaste and brushing too hard temporarily weakens the enamel. That is why you should wait at least half an hour after eating or drinking these ‘acids’ before brushing your teeth.
The same applies to adults: the use of antibiotics at that time can cause discoloration or damage to the teeth. Damage that occurs many months to years later after stopping antibiotics is no longer caused by previous use. Even then, the cause of caries must be sought elsewhere.
