Are You Prone To Cavities?

Surely if you brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly that means that you won’t get any cavities, right? Wrong. All of us are susceptible to getting cavities.The good news is that some of the causes of cavities are within our control to change - and we’re here to help you take a more proactive approach to keeping cavities at bay. First, let’s dive into three factors that can possibly contribute to cavities as an adult and how to treat them if you get one!

Sweet Treats

While dental hygiene plays a large role in your oral health, so does your diet. Children are prone to cavities because they tend to eat more sugar, but if you carry a strong sweet tooth into adulthood, this could be why you’re more susceptible to cavities.“When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these acids in contact with your teeth and over time the enamel can break down. This is when cavities can form,” (MouthHealthy.org).

Tooth Structure

If you have naturally deep grooves in your teeth, food and bacteria can easily get trapped. Since these grooves can be much harder to clean, it’s important to take your time when brushing and flossing those areas and to visit your dentist for regular cleanings.Sealants could also be an option to help prevent food from getting in the grooves, which are “a thin, protective coating (made from plastic or other dental materials) that adheres to the chewing surface of your back teeth,” (MouthHealthy.org).

Quit Smoking

We know that smoking can cause serious medical health issues, but are you fully aware of the damage smoking can do to your oral health? Not only does it stain your teeth, but smoking can also lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer. For more information on how to quit smoking, visit smokefree.gov.To take a more proactive approach to prevent cavities and tooth decay, we’ve rounded up 5 helpful tips:

1. Use a fluoride toothpaste and brush twice a day.
2. Don’t forget to floss every single day.
3. Limit your sugar intake.
4. Ask your dentist about supplemental fluoride and sealants.
5. Get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months.

As we mentioned earlier, you can take all these approaches and still end up with a cavity. If this happens, we can help! Our dental office offers tooth-colored fillings and crowns (if needed) to treat the cavity or replace old silver fillings that aren’t as strong or right for your tooth structure.Give our office a call at (804) 794-4588 for more information or to make an appointment.