Our mouths are full of bacteria, and your diet is the main reason for bacteria to build up in the mouth. Some bacteria are helpful, while other bacteria are harmful and can cause cavities. Cavities are the result of certain types of bacteria.
Although they can form anywhere, a cavity usually forms in places where food gets trapped. A common place is the grooves on the biting surface of your teeth or in between your teeth. These places are hard to clean with a toothbrush.
What is a Cavity?
A cavity also referred to as tooth decay, is the destruction of your tooth enamel. Plaque, a sticky film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink foods containing sugars, the bacteria in plaque produce acids that attack tooth enamel. Over time, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity.
Cavities are more common among children, but changes that occur with aging make them an adult problem, too. Receding gums combined with gum disease can expose tooth roots to plaque. Tooth roots are susceptible to decay and sensitive to hot and cold. It is common for people over 50 to have tooth-root decay.
Also, many older adults have several dental fillings. Over the years, these fillings may weaken and leak around the edges. Bacteria accumulate in these tiny crevices causing acid to build up which leads to tooth decay.
Are Cavities Avoidable?
As we mentioned, the top reason cavities form in your mouth is due to your diet. The more food you eat that is high in sugar, the more likely you are to develop a cavity. But it is not just sugar that can feed these cavity-causing bacteria. Any carbohydrate you eat can be consumed by these bacteria, including foods like crackers, bread, spaghetti, soft drinks, and corn. Sugar is the top producer.
Aside from reducing sugars in your diet, the next best way to prevent cavities is to have regular dental visits. This will help prevent problems from developing. The better your oral hygiene, the more you clean away these cavity-causing bacteria. This is also why dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing.
Did you know that regular dental examinations and good oral hygiene can prevent most dental diseases? Your dentist will advise you on how to improve your oral hygiene and will check your mouth for cavities during your office visit. If you go to the dentist consistently, they will most likely catch a cavity forming early. If caught early enough, there is a chance your cavity can be reversed without the need for a filling!
How Can You Prevent Cavities?
You can help prevent cavities/tooth decay by following these tips:
• Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride reduces the ability of bacteria to make acid. It can even reverse tooth decay.
• Clean between your teeth daily with dental floss.
• Eat nutritious and balanced meals and limit snacking.
• Ask your dentist about supplemental fluoride, which strengthens your teeth, and about the use of dental sealants applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth to protect them from decay.
• Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and an oral examination.
Downers Grove Dentist
If you are looking for a dentist in Downers Grove, contact Webster Dental. Webster Dental maintains an unwavering commitment to providing patients with an unparalleled experience through expert dental care and outstanding customer service. Whether it’s a dental check-up, routine cleaning, teeth whitening, or more involved dental work such as veneers, our dental team is always here for you.
Webster Dental is located at 1121 Warren Avenue, Suite 130, in Downers Grove, Illinois. Webster Dental has patients from Downers Grove, Lisle, Woodridge, Lombard, Westmont, Darien, Willowbrook, Glen Ellyn, Burr Ridge, Oak Brook, and Hinsdale, as well as other Chicago communities. When you need a dentist in the Western Suburbs, call Webster Dental in Downers Grove at 630.663.0554.