No one wants to have a cavity, but most people will have experienced tooth decay by the time they reach adulthood. Visiting the dentist every six months can help you steer clear of this and other oral health hazards, but how you care for your teeth in the time between these appointments is also crucial. With proper hygiene and a balanced, nutritious diet, you can enjoy proper oral health for a lifetime to come.
Top Causes of Tooth Decay
Cavities are caused by bacteria that forms plaque, the sticky, tooth-colored substance you can scratch off the surface of your tooth. Plaque combines with the sugars in what you eat and drink and, if it’s not removed with proper brushing and flossing, the combination forms acid which will gradually weaken the tooth enamel and form a cavity.
Certain lifestyle factors can heavily influence whether you will develop cavities. Smokers are more likely to experience them as well as other oral health hazards. Eating a diet that’s high in sugar or simple carbohydrates, which turn into sugar, will raise your risk of tooth decay as well. And of course, some people are also at a higher risk due to genetic factors which are not well understood — if you brush and floss your teeth regularly but feel like you have more cavities than your friends, you may just be cavity prone.
Consider, too, the alignment of your teeth. Crowded teeth are usually more difficult to thoroughly brush and floss, which can lead to plaque and bacteria buildup between them.
Age can also play a role in a person’s risk of cavities. Children are at their highest risk of developing tooth decay between the ages of 6 and around 14 or so, when their back teeth are coming in and exposing enamel pits and grooves to the oral environment for the first time. Older patients may also be at a higher risk of tooth decay if they take medications that cause dry mouth. Decreased saliva production can be devastating to the teeth; it makes the plaque more acidic and also more difficult to remove. If your mouth feels too dry, your teeth are in danger. Your dentist will want to discuss your options to prevent or reduce the damage to your teeth.
Prevention Is Easy
Even if you are at a higher risk of cavities because of one or more of the factors we have mentioned above, you can keep your smile healthy by practicing excellent oral hygiene and eating a nutritious diet. When you brush and floss your teeth as recommended, you are doing your part to remove plaque and food particles from the surface of and between your teeth. You should brush after each meal or at least twice a day. Floss once a day, and eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables (complex carbohydrates) while trying to reduce your sugar intake. If you smoke, it’s time to quit — talk to your doctor or dentist if you are ready to kick the habit but unsure where to start. In addition to these well-known measures, you may need extra help to avoid cavities. Your dentist can recommend individualized care, much of which can usually be done at home.
Six-month checkups and cleanings are an important part of every dental hygiene routine. During this visit, your hygienist will remove plaque and tartar and your dentist will perform a tooth-by-tooth exam to check for cavities and other oral health hazards.
With the last point in mind, we’d like to ask — when was your last visit to the dentist? If it’s been longer than six months, it’s probably time to come in. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our office today!
Meet the Dentist
Dr. L. Blaine Kennington is a general dentist providing comprehensive dental care to patients in and around Castle Rock. To learn more about his services or to schedule an appointment for superior care, please do not hesitate to contact the office at 360-274-9100.