If you are diligent with your morning and nighttime oral hygiene routine, you may be wondering why you’re suddenly developing cavities. This can be quite concerning if you’ve never been prone to them before, and you may find yourself wracking your brain to determine the underlying cause. To help you more closely identify the potential problem, a dentist in Millersville, MD shares six reasons you may suddenly begin to develop dental caries and why prevention is key.
Why Cavities Are Suddenly Developing
When visiting with your dentist and learning you have one or more cavities, this can be a surprise to both of you, especially if you normally receive positive feedback about your at-home oral habits. Identifying the root problem is essential, so you’ll need to think carefully about your day-to-day activities and any changes you may be making. If you’re still struggling, here are just six potential reasons for your cavity development:
- Cold or Flu Season: If you are battling the cold or flu and are taking medications (i.e., cough drops) to curb your symptoms, many often contain high amounts of sugar, which can lead to cavities.
- Increased Stress: Whether caused by work, family, or school, stress can negatively affect your oral health and cause your immune system to weaken. It can also cause dry mouth and unhealthy, sugary and starchy cravings.
- Overconsumption of sugar: If sugar is part of your daily food intake, you can expect cavities to be a likely result. No matter if it’s food or beverages, processed sugar will be a haven for bacteria and eventual cavity formation.
- Poor dental hygiene during orthodontic treatment: If you recently started wearing braces, there is a good chance you may be struggling to brush and floss correctly, causing cavities to form in areas that were once healthy.
- Gum recession: If you notice your teeth appear longer than before, you may have gum recession, which exposes your tooth root. Once this area is no longer protected by oral soft tissues, it can be vulnerable to decay.
- Too much brushing: Excessive tooth brushing can actually damage your tooth enamel and cause gum recession, which will put you at risk for serious cavities and gum disease over time.
Which Preventive Measures Are Most Essential?
While those mentioned above are only a few of the many reasons cavities can suddenly form, you can take steps to prevent them in the first place. Apart from the daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing routine you should adopt, you will also need to:
- Continue seeing your dentist every six months for dental checkups and cleanings
- Avoid sugary and starchy foods and instead, replace them with healthier alternatives like lean proteins, leafy greens, and fruits and vegetables
- Wear a mouthguard to protect your tooth enamel from wear and tear and your oral soft tissues from gum recession if you are grinding your teeth
- Give up unhealthy habits that wear down tooth enamel and weaken your immune system
Cavities are preventable if you know what to do. Remain diligent with your oral hygiene and trust your dentist to provide the most reliable preventive solutions to help you keep your smile looking and feeling its best.
About the McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice
Are you looking for a qualified dental group to take care of your oral healthcare needs? At McCarl Dental Group at Shipley’s Choice, we have three expert dental professionals who have years of experience and are committed to learning more about the field through continuing education. Offering comprehensive services designed to improve smiles and ensure optimal oral health, patients can trust us to repair, rebuild, and restore smiles of all types and ages. If you’re looking for ways to maintain your oral health and reduce your risk of cavities, call our dental office today.