Things You Might Do to Increase Your Risk of Cavities


Things You Might Do to Increase Your Risk of Cavities

By Wright Smiles

Good dental health is as much about what you don’t do as what you do. For instance, brushing your teeth is good, but if you don’t floss as well, then you’ll likely develop a dental issue anyway, like cavities. Likewise, there are other things you might do or not do when you’re away from the bathroom sink that can undermine the care you put into cleaning your teeth every day. When not checked and corrected, such habits can significantly increase your risk of cavities despite your other efforts to prevent them.

What to Know About Cavities & Tooth Decay

Knowledge is power, and before you can understand how your habits can risk your dental health, you should first understand how cavities develop in the first place. Like gum disease and chronically bad breath, cavities are a result of excessive plaque buildup, which houses bacteria that produce chemicals that can erode your teeth and lead to decay. Brushing and flossing helps control these bacteria and the substances they produce before they become a problem. What doesn’t help is neglecting harmful plaque, or feeding the bacteria within it, until the damage to your teeth is irreversible.

What Doesn’t Help Your Teeth

  • Binging on sugar—Candy, cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats can bombard oral bacteria with sugar. The bacteria convert the sugar, along with other carbohydrates, into acids that weaken your teeth’s enamel enough for bacteria to infect them.
  • Rinsing your teeth instead of brushing them—When you’re in a rush, you might be tempted to simply rinse with mouthwash instead of taking the time to properly brush and floss your teeth. Without the toothbrush, however, you can’t adequately remove plaque deposits, which can harden into tartar by the time you do brush your teeth.
  • Drinking sodas, fruit juices, and sports drinks—Sodas might be a slightly obvious bad choice for your teeth, but most fruit juices and sports drinks aren’t much better. All contain sugary and/or acidic substances that weaken healthy teeth, and drinking them consistently can permanently affect your dental health.

ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE DENTISTS:

As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.