Cavities also referred to as tooth decay, develop when bacteria is concentrated in your mouth and produces acid. This acid then begins to dissolve your enamel. If neglected, cavities may cause inflammation, severe sharp pain, and tooth loss.
Cavity formation begins without any noticeable harm to your tooth enamel. But it constantly advances deeper in your teeth eventually reaching the pulp. Tooth pulp has hypersensitive nerve endings and blood vessels. When the cavity reached these nerve endings you may experience severe pain in your teeth.
Continue reading to learn about the most common culprits of cavities.
1. Poor oral routine
A proper oral routine should include regular brushing, flossing, rinsing, and cleaning your tongue. Your teeth should be brushed at a minimum of two times a day – after waking up and before going to bed. But it is important to brush after eating too.
Keep in mind that it is essential to brush for about two minutes. Try to use a timer while brushing to ensure that you brush your teeth for two minutes. Poor dental care will eventually lead to cavities. And if you fail to develop a proper oral hygiene routine then tooth decay is practically unavoidable.
2. Deep grooves in your teeth and problems with enamel
If you have damaged enamel and deep grooves in your teeth, you are highly prone to experience cavities. This is because the deep grooves are a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and plaque.
Tooth fillings are commonly used to prevent tooth decay in patients with deep grooves in their teeth. A tooth filling procedure is perfectly safe to prevent cavities if you have no infection in the tooth. Consult with a dental specialist about your chances for this procedure.
3. Foods that are high in sugar
Sugary foods are great companions for mouth bacteria. The bacteria contained in your mouth literally consume sugar to multiply and then begin to cover your teeth in harmful acid. This process happens momentarily and can occur a couple of times while having a meal. So it’s important to brush your teeth after each meal to reduce the acidic counting in your mouth.
When hearing about sugary foods, you almost certainly think of sweets and similar items. But, there are many foods that unexpectedly contain lots of sugar. So be cautious when choosing your snacks. Don’t forget that sugary juices are not healthier than sodas in terms of damaging your teeth.
4. Acidic foods and beverages
When you think of acidic drinks you’re almost certainly thinking of soda. When actually lots of common foods that people eat every day have acid in them. Even foods like fish and pastry contain acid. Carbonated soft drinks like soda and even fruit juice are all high in acids that lead to cavities. Acidic foods and beverages momentarily begin the process of enamel erosion leading to vulnerable teeth.
5. Grinding and clenching
You can grind and clench your teeth without even realizing it. Tooth grinding usually happens during your sleep or in a stressful situation. Tooth grinding can cause cavities due to chipping away the outer layer of tooth enamel. Tooth clenching can be prevented by using a special protective mouthguard and by minimizing your stress.
The bottom line
Don’t let cavities damage your oral and even overall health. Develop proper oral care and brush your teeth for at least two minutes. Avoid acidic and sugary foods that can cause numerous dental health issues. Always make sure to consult with the dentist if you experience any pain or discomfort in your mouth. You might have sensitive or infected grooves in your teeth that may need immediate medical attention.
