I take care of my teeth. Why do I still get cavities?

Question:

I brush regularly and floss when I can.  Overall, I take very good care of my teeth.  But why do I still get cavities?

Answer:

A number of factors come into play when it comes to keeping your teeth clean.  First off, though you brush your teeth often, are you brushing them correctly?  Make sure the bristles of your toothbrush reach every area on the tooth, including the back surface and especially the surface closest to the gumline, these are areas where bacteria usually build up.

Also, when you floss, do you guide the floss down below the gumline, following the curvature of the tooth?  Flossing takes more than just moving the strand between the teeth, be sure to see our article on flossing for more details.

And sadly, research has shown that an individual’s ability to get cavities is hereditary…that’s right, HEREDITARY!!!  So if your mother or father had a high number of cavities, than your risk of getting cavities is greatly increased.  It’s not inevitable, it just means that your mouth’s pH is more favorable to bacterial growth and development.  This means that you must take extra caution in your daily oral hygiene habits and the types of food that you consume.

Yet another factor that plays a large role in the development of cavities is diet.  Of course, if you have a diet that’s high in carbohydrates and sugars, you can expect more cavities.  So try to stay away from soda, candy, and a lot of bread on a regular basis.

Hope this helps and good luck!

My teeth bleed everytime I brush

Question:

My teeth bleed every time that I brush.  What should I do in this case?  And also, my mouth is hurt each time I use antiseptic to rinse.

Answer:

How often do you floss? From what you’re telling me you may have some minor inflammation on your gums. This often happens if you don’t floss regularly. Minor inflammation is called gingivitis and is usually easily cured if you start flossing more often or visit your dentist for a cleaning. If you continue not to floss, gingivitis can turn into periodontitis which can lead to a host of other problems including bone recession, loose teeth, etc.

Now remember when you start flossing you will definitely see bleeding. This goes away as you floss more often. Being that your gums are inflammed, your immune system is sensitive in that area and can easily become aggravated. However, you need to be able to clean away the bacteria below your gumline so please continue to floss.

Hope this helps

SaveMySmile Team