You brush your teeth every morning and every night. Maybe you floss, too. So hearing that you have another cavity at your dental appointment can be frustrating.
Brushing is one of the best things you can do to protect your teeth, but cavities aren’t caused by poor brushing alone. Your diet, saliva, tooth shape, brushing technique, and even how often you snack can affect your risk for tooth decay. Let’s dive into it!
You may be missing certain areas when you brush
Brushing twice a day doesn’t always mean every surface of every tooth is getting cleaned. The back molars can be especially tricky. Their grooves and pits can trap food and plaque, and they’re harder to reach with a toothbrush. The gumline is another commonly missed area.
Take your time when brushing. Aim for two minutes and make sure you’re reaching the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. And don’t forget between your teeth. A toothbrush can’t thoroughly clean those tight spaces, which is why daily flossing is an important part of preventing cavities.
Your snacking habits can make a difference
It’s easy to focus on how much sugar you eat, but how often you eat it matters, too.
Bacteria in your mouth use sugars and carbohydrates from food and drinks to produce acids. Those acids attack your tooth enamel. Your saliva eventually helps neutralize the acids, but frequent snacking gives your teeth less time to recover between acid attacks.
Try keeping sugary foods and drinks with meals rather than having them frequently throughout the day. Water is a much better choice for sipping between meals. Read more about how your diet can affect your teeth.
Dry mouth can increase your cavity risk
Saliva does more than keep your mouth comfortable. It washes away food particles, helps control acids, and provides minerals that support healthy enamel.
When you don’t produce enough saliva, your teeth lose some of that natural protection.
Dry mouth can have several causes, including certain medications and dehydration. If your mouth regularly feels dry or sticky, mention it during your dental appointment. Your dentist can look for signs of dry mouth and discuss ways to better protect your teeth.
Your teeth may have deep grooves
Not everyone’s teeth are shaped the same way. Some people naturally have deeper pits and grooves in their molars. Food and bacteria can settle into these tiny spaces, where toothbrush bristles may have trouble reaching.
For patients who are prone to cavities in these areas, dental sealants may be an option. A sealant covers the grooves on the chewing surface of a tooth, creating a smoother surface that’s easier to keep clean. Sealants are commonly used for children, but adults may benefit from them in certain situations as well.
You might not be getting enough fluoride
Fluoride helps strengthen tooth enamel and makes it more resistant to acid.
Using fluoride toothpaste is a simple way to give your teeth regular fluoride exposure. Depending on your cavity risk, your dentist may also recommend an in-office fluoride treatment or other fluoride products for use at home.
Old dental work can sometimes create trouble spots
Fillings and crowns don’t last forever. As dental work ages, small gaps or damaged areas can sometimes develop around a restoration. Bacteria may collect in these spaces and lead to new decay.
This type of cavity isn’t always something you can see or feel yourself. Regular dental exams and X-rays when appropriate can help your dentist find decay around or underneath existing dental work.
So, why do you keep getting cavities?
There isn’t always one simple answer. Your dentist needs to look at where the cavities are developing and what might be contributing to them.
If cavities repeatedly appear between your teeth, flossing habits may need some attention. Cavities in the grooves of your molars may point to tooth anatomy as a factor. Dry mouth, frequent snacking, sugary drinks, or insufficient fluoride can also play a role.
Finding the pattern can help you make changes that actually address your individual cavity risk instead of simply brushing harder. Also, read our blog on Can a Cavity Heal on it’s Own?
Keep your smile healthy with Cincinnati Area Dentist
If you’re frustrated by recurring cavities, talk with Dr. Ruchika Khetarpal and the team at Cincinnati Area Dentist. We can examine your teeth, discuss your daily habits, and look for factors that may be making you more susceptible to tooth decay.
Sometimes a few small changes can make a big difference.
Schedule your next dental exam with Cincinnati Area Dentist and find out what you can do to better protect your teeth from future cavities!