You May Get Cavities More Than The Average Person – Your Dentist Lets You In On Why

Every morning, you take the time to brush, floss, rinse, and clean every nook and cranny of your mouth. You’ve just visited your dentist, and they let you know that, for the third time in a row, you have a new cavity that needs to be filled. How can that be when you’re so good about keeping up with your oral hygiene? Cavities can form for a number of reasons, and not all of them have to do with your dental routine. Read on for 5 reasons why your cavities could be forming.

Oral Bacteria

Sometimes, cavities can be caused by things that are out of your control, like your microbiome. The natural bacteria present in your mouth could react more aggressively to sugar than other people’s. The buildup of harsh bacteria is what commonly breaks down your enamel and can cause tooth decay. To combat an aggressive oral microbiome, be sure to keep up with using antibacterial products like mouthwash.

Dry Mouth

If you have chronic dry mouth, this could affect the development of cavities. Saliva is important because it washes away plaque, tartar, and bacteria that collects in your mouth. It also helps dislodge food debris from small crevices of your mouth. Dry mouth could be caused by a variety of reasons, from medications that you’re currently taking to chemotherapy. Rinsing with mouthwash daily and drinking plenty of water can help restore moisture in your mouth and help you produce more saliva.

Receding Gums

Receding gums can expose delicate parts of your teeth like the root, leaving it unprotected to collect bacteria, causing rapid rates of decay. You can fight this by lightly brushing the area to remove plaque pockets that have formed in your receded gums or, you could ask your dentist if they can offer specific treatments or preventive tips that can keep this issue at bay.

Shape of Your Teeth

Your teeth may have deep grooves that naturally collect food debris, sugar, and bacteria more easily than other people’s. Because of this, it could be more difficult for you to clean your teeth effectively enough to prevent cavities. The best way to prevent cavity-causing buildup is to attend your semi-annual checkup and cleaning with your dentist so they can clear it off your teeth. As long as you’re aware of this problem, you can take the extra time to thoroughly rid the divots in your teeth of any bacteria and plaque. Using equipment like a water flossing tool can help you get those hard to reach places.

Nutrition

Your diet has more of an effect on your oral health than you may think. When you were a child, your dentist may have always told you to stay away from sugary foods to avoid cavities. As an adult, that rule-of-thumb still stands. Consuming too many sugary foods and drinks can make your mouth a bacterial breeding ground that can lead to enamel corrosion. Some bacteria-causing foods and drinks to avoid consuming an excessive amount of include:

• Soda
• Candy
• Juice
• Carbohydrates

Replacing these kinds of snacks with fibrous vegetables like celery can help clean plaque and bacteria from your mouth. If you do snack on bacteria-friendly foods, try brushing your teeth afterward to make sure that no sugar or food debris is left behind.

Sometimes, at-home dental hygiene doesn’t quite cut it, which is why visiting your dentist for your semi-annual checkups and cleanings are a great way to prevent and treat cavities before they turn into larger problems. Depending on the reasons that your cavities are forming, your dentist will be able to suggest certain products and techniques to help combat them.

About the Author

Dr. Jayme Martinez is passionate about providing each of his patients with individualized treatment. He regularly takes continuing education courses so that he can give everyone that walks through his doors the most advanced dental care. With someone who is genuinely interested in helping people, you’re sure to feel comfortable in his care. For any questions or to schedule an appointment, visit Kessler Park Dental’s website or contact 214-303-9969.