Why Am I Suddenly Getting Cavities?

People who have never had to deal with cavities who suddenly start seeing a cavity on the x-ray every time they go in for a checkup will probably wonder what's gone wrong. Here are some of the possible causes when you've started to get cavities more frequently.

Are You Eating a Different Diet?

Changes in your diet may occur because of personal tastes, budget, or other health conditions that you're monitoring. But you may not be aware of their effects on your teeth. For example, if you are eating diet that is higher in acidic foods-- yes, even healthy things like oranges count-- then you might be wearing away at your enamel faster. Another big one is if you're consuming more sugar than usual.

Are You Experiencing A Lot of Stress?

You may also not have gotten as many cavities before because you weren't under such a great deal of stress. When you are stressed out, it can decrease your immunity to germs, meaning that bacteria are around longer to feed on your tooth enamel.

Are You Still Brushing and Flossing Well?

It's easy to overlook brushing and flossing well when you are constantly in a hurry. Sure, you might be brushing on a regular basis still, but has the quality of brushing changed? Also, do you think you could be overbrushing? If you are applying a greater amount of pressure just to get the cleaning over with, it could actually be hurting your teeth rather than helping.

Are You Exercising More?

One unusual thing that can affect your teeth is exercise. When you start to exercise more, it could lead to more time spent with dry mouth. Saliva plays an important role in killing bacteria, so make sure that you're hydrated while exercising.

Is it a Gums Issue?

And finally, it may actually be a sign that your gums are in bad health. Receding gums is a condition where your gum tissue begins to shrink away from your tooth. That leaves more of the tooth's base exposed and vulnerable to bacteria. You should have your dentist look for this condition when they are diagnosing your cavities. Gum disease is a serious health risk that can cause long-term infection, so it's an important one to look for. In short, there may be a number of factors that contribute to an increase in cavities, so speak with your dentist, such as Kenneth F Wallace, in order to create a plan to stop them.

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