Cavities are a common ailment in our mouths. Every time we go to a dentist for a checkup. There is often a cavity or two waiting to be discovered. The dentist often recommends brushing twice a day and flossing once everyday to keep your mouth free from cavities.
Even after following the instructions, a cavity may still be found at your next visit.
Why is it? The question baffles many people. After following good oral hygiene, why is there a formation of cavities on teeth?
To answer your query, it is first important to understand what a cavity is and how is it formed.
A cavity is decaying of teeth caused by bacteria in the mouth. There are hundreds of species of bacteria residing in an individual’s mouth regardless of his/her oral hygiene. The first bacteria recorded in the mouth is within one hour after the baby’s birth.
Presence of Bacteria in our mouths is inevitable.
When these bacteria get their resources in the form of sugars. They breakdown the enamel, the outer covering of the tooth to form a cavity.
Some of the reasons for the formation of cavities include
Frequent consumption of sugars in a day makes your teeth more prone to cavities. It doesn’t matter if you are having a single bite of sugar every time. What matters is the frequency. The more frequently you consume sugar, the more easily a cavity may form.
Not everything is under our control.
read also : Why are sweets bad for my teeth?
Genetics is also a major factor in determining the amount of cavities an individual will experience in his/her life regardless of their oral hygiene habits.
Some individuals with poor oral hygiene don’t experience cavities. While some do even after impeccable oral hygiene. It leads the answer to their immunity and genetics.
Unfortunately, genetics cannot be controlled to avoid cavities. But prevention of high levels has been found to be very helpful. Ask our experts!!
Dry Mouth: Saliva is a great fighter of cavities. It not only washes away plaque and bacteria but also neutralizes the acids released by food and bacterial action on them. When there is a less flow of saliva in your mouth, there is increased activity of bacteria leading to higher incidence of cavities.
Shape and arrangement of your tooth: Some places are harder to reach by your toothbrush and floss. When your teeth are crowded or bent, the toothbrush doesn’t help to remove the plaque-causing bacteria, leaving you susceptible to cavities.
Gum recession: receding gums expose sensitive dentin in your mouth to bacteria. It easily degrades when compared to enamel. Optimal gum health is imperative to your oral hygiene.
All hope is not lost in preventing cavities in spite of the challenges. Some steps you can take to make sure there are no cavities are as follows
Regular visits to a dentist: a regular checkup at a dental office will determine the formation of cavities at an earlier stage. There is not much loss of tooth structure if a cavity is detected early.
Professional cleaning of your teeth will clean the inaccessible areas of your mouth, thus removing plaque and preventing caries.
Fluoride toothpaste: use of Fluoride in toothpaste forms calcium fluoride compound on your tooth enamel. It is more resistant to bacteria than normal enamel. Make sure fluoride toothpaste is prescribed by a dentist. Do not buy it without consulting your dentist, as excessive use of fluoride can also cause stains on your teeth.
Reduce sugar intake: when there is less intake of sugar, there is less food for bacteria to act on. Excessive sugar is neither good for your teeth nor for your health.
Xylitol: an alternative to sugar, Xylitol helps prevent caries. It is ten times less likely in an individual to develop caries who use Xylitol than an individual who uses sugar.
Visit Top Notch Dental clinic now, to know more ways to prevent cavities in your mouth.
Our expert dentists will guide you in the best way possible.