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

September 22, 2009 by admin
Filed under Questions

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.

Are You Brushing Correctly?

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.

Are You Flossing Correctly?

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.

Number of Cavities Can Be Hereditary!

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.

Are You Eating the Right Foods?

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!

Tags: bacteria, brush, cavities, dental question, floss, oral hygiene, poor oral hygiene, tooth question

Flossing Basics

May 21, 2009 by admin
Filed under Flossing Basics

2 Comments

Oh the dreaded floss. We all know that we need to do it…everyday that is. So why don’t most people floss? It is a time-consuming task; however the benefits of flossing are MORE than worth the additional five minutes it takes to complete the tedious task.

So why floss your teeth?

Mouthwash and a toothbrush can’t reach every surface of your teeth! Flossing removes the food buildup and bacteria that is located between your teeth.
Most cavities arise from bacteria located between the teeth – This area is often overlooked. Many feel that if they can’t see it, then it isn’t a problem. However, if given the chance, microscopic bacteria can and will accumulate and begin the demineralization process of enamel slowly leading to cavities, pain, and bacterial invasion.
You don’t want bleeding gums do you? – Bleeding gums is a sign of inflammation! If you don’t floss regularly, you can expect some minor bleeding when you start out. But don’t quit. Bleeding gums indicates gingivitis, and even worse periodontitis. If severe enough, this will lead to recession of the gums and loose teeth. Flossing removes irritating bacteria from being allowed to infiltrate your gums and cause infection.

Proper steps to flossing

Start off with a long strand of floss (around 15 inches or so) and wrap it around each middle finger
Use your index finger to guide the floss between your teeth
Once the strand of floss is between your teeth, follow the curvature of each tooth in an up and down motion about 2-3 times. Don’t be afraid to push the floss under the gums, this is a critical area that needs to be cleaned.
Remove floss and repeat with each tooth, making sure to use a clean section of the floss each time.