What Causes Cavities and How to Prevent Them

Cavities are observed in our teeth when we have a small hole or pit, but they start off as very minute annoyances- like sensitivity to certain acidic, hot or cold foods, stains on the affected tooth and pain among other symptoms. Though they are barely noticeable in the early days, they can get worse and require treatment. Let us learn more about how cavities form and how some preventive measures go a long way in helping stay cavity free. We will also tell you when to visit a dentist.

What Causes Cavities And How To Prevent Them Naturally

Cavities are formed when tooth enamel gets corroded due to formation of plaque which hardens to form tartar. Bacteria are found in very high numbers in our mouth and they get to work- by producing acids which can wear down teeth, dentine and enamel and systematically cause issues like sensitivity and cavities. When you do not brush and floss properly, the plaque or tartar forms a kind of physical shield for the bacteria and enables them to continue flourishing. If this damage continues unabated for a long time, bacteria can gain access to deeper layers of the tooth like the pulp and even enter the bloodstream, causing major infections or abscesses.

Effective Dental Care To Prevent Cavities

Cavities don’t form in any teeth- they form more easily on the molars and premolars or wisdom teeth because they have many grooves and are bigger with larger sized roots. We also tend to chew more with them, causing food to get stuck there more easily. Sticky foods like milk, sugary snacks, honey, chips, cookies, biscuits, chocolates- they all tend to stick and don’t come off easily. Babies can get cavities too as they tend to fall asleep at night after feeding. Milk or formula is pretty high in sugar and this can coat teeth through the night, making them more susceptible to damage. 

A mineral called fluoride is normally found in water and toothpaste and if you get enough of it, you can help reverse some minute tooth damage. But large scale damage won’t be repaired by fluoride alone. If you have worn braces or have fillings, then you may notice more plaque formation than usual. So, here are our top tips for better dental care:

• Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride containing toothpastes is a good start. 
• You may also be given mouth washes or rinses.
• You should continue to floss regularly even if you experience bleeding from your gums. This is just temporary and it will get better with improved dental hygiene. 
• Eating certain foods like fresh veggies and fruits can help reduce bad breath and also increase saliva production. Dry mouth is another major cause for cavities to form. 
• You should aim to get checked and treated by a dentist at least once a year or even more depending on the severity of your symptoms.

Home Remedies For Preventing Cavities And Tooth Decay

You can try the following measures to improve dental care in general and also help prevent new cavities from forming- 

• Rinsing with coconut oil for 5-10 minutes has been shown to work well as it forms a coating and prevents anything from sticking to teeth.
• You should incorporate probiotics like curd or buttermilk- these are full of good bacteria which can keep the bad ones at bay.
• Eating a diet rich in greens, vitamins and minerals is important.
• You can brush with salt and rinse with saltwater afterwards. 
• If you have any toothache, you can chew some clove or apply clove oil on the affected tooth. But go get it checked soon.
• You should continue brushing and flossing.
• You can also chew some sugar free gum to prevent snacking through the day. 
• You should also aim to drink at least 2-3 litres of water everyday.

Conclusion

Dental hygiene is a very important aspect of maintaining good health but is also the most ignored. Indians in general do not like following what their dentists recommend- leaving them more exposed to certain conditions like gum disease, oral cancers and dental caries. We do have a National Oral Health Program, but over 50% of the population has never visited a dentist in their whole life. We are not aware that brushing and flossing can greatly help prevent cavities and dental issues in the long run. Let us pledge to take good care of our pearly whites and stay cavity free!