Cavities, also called tooth decay, are holes that form on the enamel of your teeth. A cavity may change colour ranging from yellow to black. Cavities start small and, if not checked, can develop and cause pain, difficulty while eating, infection, abscess, and even tooth loss. This is why you ought to visit us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa before the condition deteriorates.

How Cavities Form
The enamel of the tooth is composed of minerals. Whenever you consume sugary drinks or starchy foods, the bacteria in the mouth metabolize the sugars and produce acid. The acid gradually erodes the enamel minerals to cause cavities. While soda and candy are the first items that come to mind, sugary foods are more than these unhealthy treats. Healthy foods like dairy products, honey, grains, and fruits contain sugars. These foods are sticky and may cover the teeth for hours and slowly cause cavities.

One of the best habits you can implement to prevent cavities is brushing and flossing appropriately. However, a common frustration among individuals is the recurrence of holes despite maintaining oral hygiene. Here are some reasons you might experience cavities despite brushing and flossing appropriately.

Less Saliva
Your mouth tries to counter the corrosive action of the acid by producing saliva, which cleanses your teeth and buffers the acid. However, some factors like damaged salivary glands, chronic dehydration, breathing through the mouth, and particular medication can affect saliva production. The implication is that there is insufficient saliva to wash away the bacterial-laden plaque from the teeth, and consumed sugars will sit in the mouth for prolonged periods. Consequently, the acidity in your mouth remains high for extended periods, allowing it to erode the enamel of the teeth and cause dental care problems.

Dietary Sugars and Frequent Snacking
What a person drinks or eats and how frequent they do so will influence tooth decay. Frequent snacking or sipping on sugary products provides a continuous food source for the bacteria that cause cavities. Dental care specialists advise patients to prefer more filling meals and have them in one seating. This avoids the need to snack frequently and prevents food from sitting on the teeth throughout the day. If you snack often, you can avoid dental care issues by brushing and rinsing the mouth after each meal which can reduce harmful bacteria in the mouth and promote saliva production.

Molars and Premolars are Prone to Decay
The molar and premolar teeth play an essential role in breaking down food before swallowing. These teeth have multiple crannies, pits, and grooves which trap food particles. Moreover, the location of these teeth makes it harder to clean them and can quickly become a hub for plaque. These factors make the back teeth more prone to dental care problems. Your dentist in Ottawa may recommend tooth sealants to cover the pits and grooves to protect your molars and premolars.

Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding damages the enamel and expose the sensitive layers of the tooth. The causes of teeth grinding include crooked teeth, stress and anxiety, abnormal bite, TMJ disorder, and sleep disorders. Some patients are not aware that they grind their teeth. Your dental care provider can examine the oral cavity and diagnose teeth grinding. Your dentist in Ottawa may recommend a dental mouth guard to help mitigate further damage.

Toothpaste
If you experience dental care issues few days after changing your toothpaste, chances are the new toothpaste is the culprit. Toothpaste that contains higher relative dentin abrasion (RDA) can cause dental care problems. A consultation with your dentist in Ottawa will help you identify the products that cause problems and the right dental care products for your oral health. Consider using regular or whitening toothpaste with an RDA value of 250 or below.

Hereditary Issues
People with a family history of dental care problems have a higher risk of developing dental care issues. While family history is not entirely to blame for cavities, hereditary factors can cause dental issues like jaw disorders, weak enamel, and discoloured and misaligned teeth. Your dentist in Ottawa may recommend bonding treatment for minor alignment problems and gaps between the teeth. Braces and clear aligners are suitable for rectifying significant misalignment.

Toothpaste That Contains No Fluoride
Fluoride plays a role in preventing cavities during the initial stages of tooth decay. It can, to some extent, reverse tooth damage by restoring the enamel. However, some people prefer products that contain natural ingredients and often lack fluoride. Such products are not ideal for oral health despite regular brushing.

How Can I prevent Dental Cavities?
There are measures you can implement to prevent dental cavities:

• Make sure your teeth get enough fluoride by brushing with fluoride toothpaste
• Practice good oral hygiene – brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste and floss regularly
• Reduce foods rich in sugars and limit snacking between meals
• Schedule regular appointments with your dentist at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre in Ottawa.

Oral health is versatile and always varies on a case-by-case basis. To best understand the condition of your oral health and how to improve it, schedule an appointment with us at the Upper Hunt Club Dental Centre. Contact us today!