You brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste twice every day. You floss to clean every millimeter of your teeth. You rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash for good measure. But still, every time you visit your dentist, you always seem to have cavities. Yet your friend who isn’t nearly as diligent about their oral hygiene always gets off scot-free. What’s going on? As it turns out, some people are just naturally more prone to getting cavities than others. Let’s examine five reasons why.
Diet
When looking to cut down on tooth decay, the first step should be taking a look at what you eat and drink. Unless you clean your teeth immediately after eating, sugars remain on and between your teeth and along your gumline. Bacteria in your mouth then have ample time to feast on these sugars and leave behind a destructive waste product that erodes tooth enamel. This is what causes cavities.
To reduce your number of sugar-induced cavities, it’s a good idea to limit your consumption of sodas, juices, sweets, and carbohydrates like white breads. Replace these items with crunchy fruits and veggies, and wash them down with water to rinse any leftover food particles out of your mouth.
Oral Bacteria
The bacteria of some people’s natural oral biome are more aggressive than others when sugars are introduced into the mouth. This means they naturally create more acid that breaks down the tooth enamel. To combat this, add rinsing with an antibacterial mouth rinse to your normal brushing and flossing routine.
Dry Mouth
Saliva fights cavities because it washes away excess bits of food and bacteria from your teeth. Dry mouth can occur for many reasons, such as being a side effect of many medications. To protect your oral health, sip plenty of water throughout the day to provide your mouth with moisture. Consult with your dentist or doctor for other ways to fight dry mouth.
Receding Gums
If your gums pull back from your teeth, it gives bacteria easier access to the vulnerable roots of your teeth. Brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinse with an enamel-enhancing mouthwash. Check with your dentist to make sure your gum recession is not due to a larger health issue.
Tooth Shape
Some teeth have naturally deeper grooves than others. Food particles are then more likely to get caught in these grooves. To make matters worse, these teeth are often harder to effectively clean, and the grooves are closer to the root of the tooth, meaning that any cavity that develops is likely to have more destructive results. Take extra care when cleaning these grooved teeth.
If you still end up having more cavities than you think you should, ask your dentist if there is anything else you could be doing to promote better oral health.
About the Author
Dr. Amy Farrell obtained her doctorate at the University of Maryland Dental School. She is certified in Invisalign and is a member of the American Dental Association, the Pennsylvania Dental Association, and the Montgomery Bucks Dental Society. She currently practices at NeoSmile Dental Care in Spring House, PA. To learn more about how you can prevent tooth decay, visit her website.
