Treating Cavities In Adults
Adult Cavities; Reasons You May Get Them and Need Dental Treatment
Cavities occur due to having high levels of bad bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria levels dramatically increase anytime someone eats or drinks something that isn’t water. As the bacteria eat the food particles, they multiply. The rapid increase in bacteria increases the amount of acid in the mouth, which ruins the enamel. This can lead to pits, which can become adult cavities. Thankfully, saliva contains minerals and nutrients that the teeth need to replenish extremely small pits in the enamel. However, frequent acid attacks can result in larger adult cavities that may need to be filled by our dentist in Melbourne, FL.
1. Frequent Beverage Consumption Can Cause Cavities
How often do you have coffee, sweet tea or a regular soda? These drinks are all high in sugar and acidic, which is a double-negative for teeth. When you sip on drinks other than water, you are giving the bacteria in your mouth something to eat. Not to mention, since the sugar in drinks is liquid, you are also coating your teeth in a sticky film that can be hard to entirely remove. This can lead to frequent acid attacks and a buildup of plaque and tartar, which can lead to adult cavities and gum disease.
2. Frequent Snacking Between Meals May Cause a Cavity
How many times a day do you grab a cookie, candy bar, or another food item that is high in simple carbs or sugar? Most adults have desk jobs or jobs where vending machines are available 24 hours a day. This can lead to frequent snacking between meals. While we all know this is bad for our waistlines, it’s also bad for our teeth. Frequently snacking, like frequent beverage consumption, can lead to an increase in acid attacks on the enamel of the teeth and make it easier for adult cavities to form. It can also cause a buildup of food particles and plaque in the mouth. If the food particles and plaque are not regularly removed with brushing and flossing, it can lead to the breakdown of enamel and form adult cavities.
3. Improper Oral Hygiene Results in Tooth Decay
How often do you brush your teeth? Our dentist in Melbourne, Fl recommends brushing your teeth at least twice a day, including once in the morning, either before or after breakfast and once in the evening before you go to bed. However, you can also brush your teeth after each meal. The trick is to make sure you wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking to brush your teeth. This is because every time you eat, you create an acid attack in your mouth that can weaken the enamel. If you brush your teeth during these acid attacks, you can push the acid into your teeth and cause greater damage. In addition to brushing your teeth multiple times a day, you should also floss your teeth once every 24 hours and use a mouthwash that is ADA approved as needed.
4. Failure to Get Regular Dental Cleanings
When is the last time you schedule an appointment with our Melbourne, FL dentist at Artistic Touch Dentistry? Adults should get at least two teeth cleanings a year, which is a new recommendation by the American Dental Association. Getting bi-yearly cleanings can help prevent dental decay, adult cavities, and even gum disease. If you do have any of these oral health issues, they can be found and treated in a timely manner. It’s important to not skip the dentist and treat them before they result in dental issues that require advanced procedures, like root canals, tooth extractions, and the need for deep cleanings and root planing.