At Home Dental Care: Myths And Facts About Cavities

Table of Contents

Myth (Sort Of): Sugar Is The Prime Cause Of Cavities

This is almost a fact, but sugar isn’t the main cause of cavities. Acid produced by bacteria in your mouth are the the real reason behind cavities. However, these bacteria are most harmful when you eat foods with carbohydrates and sugar is a carb. Once the acid eats into your tooth, it creates a hole that is hard to reach with a toothbrush. The harmful bacteria in your mouth continue to produce acid and it creates a bigger cavity.

An important fact to remember is that it’s not the amount of carbs you eat but how long your teeth are exposed to them. So make sure to brush or rinse out your mouth after eating something sugary or starchy.

Fact: Exposure To Acidic Foods Causes Tooth Decay

Acidic foods such as lemons and other citrus fruits can eat away at your tooth enamel and weaken your teeth.

Myth: Kids Are More Prone To Cavities Than Adults

With the knowledge that we now have of preventative care, cavities in school-aged children have been cut in half the past 20 years. However, there has been an increase in tooth decay in seniors because of medications that cause dry mouth.

Myth: All Fillings Eventually Need To Be Replaced

A filling only needs to be replaced when a cavity forms around it, if it breaks down, or if the tooth fractures. If none of those problems occur, there’s no need to replace the filling. How long a filling lasts depends on oral hygiene habits.

Myth: You Know When You Have A Cavity

Mild tooth decay doesn’t have symptoms, it’s when tooth decay is more advanced that it starts to cause pain in the tooth and damage to the nerve. This is one reason why regular dental checkups are so important. When tooth decay is advanced, the procedure to fix it may be more expensive.

Fact: Once A Tooth Is Treated, The Decaying Stops

Once you get a cavity filled, as long as you practice good dental care by brushing and flossing regularly, you typically won’t get decay in that spot again.

Fact: Cracks And Chips In Teeth Lead To Decay

If cracks and chips are in an area that your toothbrush can’t reach, that area is at risk of tooth decay. Using a fluoride-mouthwash will help keep that area clean and less prone to decay.

Fact: Gaps In Teeth Encourage Cavities

If you have gaps between teeth that are hard to reach, you’re more likely to develop tooth decay. Bigger gaps aren’t as prone to tooth decay as small gaps. Gaps are less likely to develop tooth decay if they can be cleaned.

Myth: Sensitivity In Teeth Means You Have Tooth Decay

Tooth sensitivity could mean you just have hypersensitive teeth or receding gums that expose part of the tooth root. You could also have a cracked or chipped tooth.

Fact: Good Oral Hygiene Is The Best Way To Prevent Cavities

Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are keys to maintaining good oral health and preventing dental problems.

Trisha Banks is a blogger for Lakeway Center for Cosmetic & Family Dentistry in Lakeway, Texas. Trisha wants to get her facts straight about what causes cavities.

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