Tooth decay despite brushing

Tooth decay despite brushing

The cause of dental cavities has been very high, with genetics being the most important factor. Genetic problems have a greater impact on the health of the body.

Proper brushing and flossing is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay. However, unfortunately, there may be people who develop cavities despite maintaining good oral hygiene.

The Dental Land dental clinic is ready to provide you with consultation regarding tooth decay.

Let’s take a look at some of the possible reasons behind the formation of tooth decay despite regular brushing and flossing.

Use of inappropriate toothpaste:
If you have experienced dental problems a few days after changing toothpastes, your new toothpaste likely has a higher relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) level.
Such dental care products can damage the tooth surface. It does not matter if this is a regular or whitening toothpaste, always choose a product with an RDA value less than 250. Also, ensure it has the American Dental Association (ADA) seal of approval.

Neglect of back teeth during brushing:
The back teeth (molars and premolars) play a crucial role in crushing food before swallowing. They have multiple pits, fissures, and grooves that trap food particles. They are also more difficult to clean and can quickly become plaque traps.
These factors make them more susceptible to cavities and decay.
Dentists often recommend dental sealants or tooth-colored fillings to protect the back teeth by covering the pits and grooves.

Use of fluoride-containing toothpastes:
Fluoride prevents the initial stages of tooth decay and can also help repair minor dental damage by rebuilding the tooth enamel. Unfortunately, some people use natural, fluoride-free dental care products. This leads to a fluoride deficiency and jeopardizes their oral health despite regular brushing. Therefore, dentists recommend using toothpaste and mouthwash containing fluoride.

Hereditary Issues:
Family history can put some individuals at higher risk for dental problems. Studies show that tooth decay cannot be fully attributed to family history. However, research has proven that hereditary issues can be the cause of weak enamel, jaw disorders, misalignment, and tooth discoloration.

Significant misalignments require treatment with braces or clear aligners. For minor misalignments and gaps between teeth, dental bonding is the best option.

Improper Brushing and Flossing:
If you ensure that your toothbrush bristles are angled towards the gumline, plaque and debris on the tooth surface and in the grooves will be removed. Remember that brushing hard on the tooth surface does not give better results. Instead, make sure to brush for at least two minutes.

Pay equal attention to the areas near the gumline as well as the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Gentle, short strokes are appropriate for all tooth surfaces. Bridges, fillings, or crowns also need attention during cleaning.

Flossing helps remove food particles and plaque that the toothbrush cannot reach. Pull the floss vertically between the teeth, using it as a tool to clean both sides of the tooth. Use floss to clean as many teeth as possible.

For fresh breath, gently brush your tongue daily. Use a tongue cleaner if needed.

Frequent snacking can be problematic:

Some nutrition experts recommend that people have several snacks throughout the day instead of one full meal. Unfortunately, this can cause constant acid bombardment on the teeth. Eating snacks, even with a little sugar, throughout the day can lead to a constant coating of plaque-forming bacteria in the mouth.

Consuming foods like chips, dry cereals, chewy candies, cookies, dried fruits, and cakes can promote the growth of harmful bacteria due to their sugar content. Even honey and dairy products can be surprising culprits, as the sticky particles they leave on teeth can slowly lead to decay.

These particles are not washed away by rinsing with water. In such cases, even brushing twice a day may not help, as the leftover food and sugar coat the teeth for hours.

Choosing more complete meal options is better than allowing food to linger on the teeth throughout the day. Brushing twice a day is very important for those who love frequent snacking.

Additionally, rinsing the mouth after each meal can significantly reduce harmful oral bacteria and improve saliva production.

Reflux or vomiting:

Patients suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) experience acidity in the mouth due to the backflow of stomach acid. This acid causes erosion and discoloration of the tooth enamel. In simple terms, the teeth lose their protective coating and become sensitive to sweet, cold, and hot foods.

In these cases, simply brushing is not enough. Such patients must immediately identify the cause of the reflux or vomiting and, if necessary, undergo GERD treatment.

dry mouth:

Bad bacteria present in consumed food create acid in the mouth, and saliva is the best defense against it.

Saliva cleans away plaque and prevents the formation of cavities that lead to holes. Some medications affect the salivary glands that produce saliva, resulting in dry mouth. Neglecting this medical condition can affect the person’s oral health in a short period.

Therefore, patients should inform their doctor about dry mouth. If this is a potential side effect of a medication, the doctor will prescribe an alternative drug.

Bruxism:
Stress and anxiety, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, crooked teeth, abnormal bite, and sleep disorders may lead to bruxism (teeth grinding). Sometimes, patients are not even aware that they are experiencing teeth grinding.

Bruxism can damage tooth enamel and expose the sensitive layers of the teeth. A dentist can examine the mouth and diagnose teeth grinding. Treating this condition with a mouth guard or other dental devices can help control further damage.