Why do I keep getting cavities?

Cavities are holes in the teeth that are typically caused by bacteria. Oral bacteria feed on the sugar in your diet and process it into acid. This acid eats holes in your teeth!  To get cavities, the bacteria need: 1.) a sugar source and 2.) time.  Therefore, to prevent cavities, it’s important to monitor the sugar in your diet and to make sure you are removing dental plaque (bacteria) often enough by brushing and flossing.

Where diet is concerned, we can all think of obvious sugar sources. Candy, fruit juice, energy drinks and soda pop typically come to mind. We will also discuss hidden sugar sources in the diet that may go unnoticed.

Let’s explore candy. Some candies are worse than others---like hard or sticky candies. Hard candies take longer to eat and continually bathe the teeth in sugar. Sticky candies adhere to the tooth surfaces keeping sugar in contact with the surface longer. When deciding what kind of candy to enjoy, it is a better option to quickly eat a candy bar rather than sucking on hard candy for longer periods of time, and of course brushing afterward is recommended.

Fruit juices may sound healthy, but don’t be fooled! They are full of sugar! Soda-pops and energy drinks contains both sugar AND acid which are both cavity-causing. This means that even diet soda is not completely safe in terms of cavities. Any carbonated beverage contains acid, so be careful! With any of these beverages, it is a bad idea to continually sip the mall day, so drink it up quick and brush your teeth!

Let’s talk about hidden sugar. Cough drops, chewing gum, breath mints, and over-the-counter antacids are often overlooked as a sugar source in the diet. Unless specifically labeled: “sugar-free” they are sweetened with sugar! What do you add to your morning coffee? Do you use flavor syrups or flavored creamers? Do you add a lump of sugar? If cavities are a problem for you, consider alternative sweetener options, and read labels for possible sugar content.

This discussion of sugar sources is not meant to be exhaustive, but to encourage you to think about the potential risks in your diet that may be contributing to dental cavities. Sugar is only part of the equation. Adequate brushing and flossing minimize the time sugar is present in the mouth and stifles the bacteria’s ability to produce acid. At your next cleaning appointment with Dr. Molgard’s office, ask your hygienist about techniques that can improve your dental home care. They will also screen for dental cavities so that they are fixed while small and with minimal damage to your teeth.

Cavities don’t go away on their own. If you suspect that you might have a cavity, it’s important to have it checked out by the dentist right away. Cavities become painful as they grow and cost more to fix. Often, cavities can be treated with a simple filling; but if allowed to grow too large, will require a crown. If a cavity grows into the nerve of the tooth, it will need not only a crown but also a root canal. If the cavity grows too large, the tooth cannot be saved.

Bacteria + Sugar + Time = Cavities. Monitor sugar intake and brush/floss often! Don’t wait until it hurts! Make sure you are seen regularly to keep your teeth!