Top 8 Reasons Most People Get Cavities

There are risk factors out of our control and there are risk factors that are in our control. Most of the following risk factors are in our control.

 

1. Oral hygiene habits: Inadequate brushing of back teeth and infrequent flossing allow plaque to build up on teeth, increasing the risk of cavities. Back teeth often don’t get enough attention when we’re brushing or flossing. Brush for 2 minutes, then return to the back teeth and brush again for 20-30 seconds. Check out Dr. Pham’s top recommended dental products here: https://arbodentalcare.com/blog/dr-phams-recommended-dental-products

2. High sugar consumption: Frequent consumption of sugary and starchy foods and drinks can contribute to cavity formation, as bacteria in the mouth feed on these substances and produce acids that break down teeth. These include pastas, bread, candy, packaged foods with added sugar such as pastries and baked goods.

3. Dry mouth (Xerostomia): Saliva plays a vital role in neutralizing acids and helping to rinse away food particles and bacteria. Reduced saliva flow due to certain medications, medical conditions, or mouth breathing can increase the risk of cavities. Dry mouth can affect kids and adults that mouth breathe and adults that take multiple medications often have the side effect of dry mouth. This can be difficult to manage, and will need a dental professional to facilitate.

4. Acidic foods and drinks: Regularly consuming acidic foods and beverages, such as apple cider vinegar, vinegar, citrus fruits, carbonated water, sports drinks, or energy drinks, can erode tooth structure and make teeth more susceptible to cavities – teeth become softer.

5. Poorly positioned teeth: Overlapping or misaligned teeth can create tight spaces that are difficult to clean properly, leading to plaque accumulation and cavity formation – think of how difficult it is to vacuum the corners of your home.

6. Lack of fluoride: Insufficient exposure to fluoride, either through drinking water, toothpaste, or dental treatments, can weaken tooth enamel and make teeth more susceptible to decay.

7. Age: Children and older adults are at higher risk of cavities. Children may have difficulty with proper oral hygiene techniques and tend to consume more sugary foods, while older adults may experience receding gums, decreased saliva flow and difficulty with brushing and flossing.

8. Medical conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as acid reflux or eating disorders, can increase the risk of cavities due to frequent acid exposure in the mouth. Other conditions include oral cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases can make it difficult to prevent cavities.

It’s important to note that while these risk factors can contribute to cavity formation, everyone’s susceptibility to cavities can vary. Practicing good oral hygiene, maintaining a balanced diet, and visiting the dentist regularly for check up xrays and exams are key preventive measures to reduce the risk of cavities.

In order to begin to identify which factor creates the highest risk for you and cavities, please give us a call at 905-775-7377 or email info@arbodentalcare.com. We would love to meet you!

Caring for you and your smile,

-Arbo Dental Care Team Bradford

For more information: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cavities/symptoms-causes/syc-20352892