While everyone knows that eating too much sugar and not taking good enough care of your teeth can result in dental caries and cavities, sometimes things don’t seem to add up. Some people who are religious about their brushing and flossing seem to suffer from constant cavities while others who are much less strict about their oral hygiene seem to get off scot-free. While the majority of people will have at least some experience with dental caries or cavities in their lives, knowing what you are up against and recruiting some help from your dentist can help you work with what you’ve got as described on Health Care Guys.
pH and How It Affects Your Mouth
When the enamel of your teeth is exposed to lower pH levels, it begins to demineralize. If your mouth stays in this state for longer than the opposing remineralization state, caries and cavities begin to form. Your diet, bacteria levels, and other factors can alter the pH of your mouth.
Saliva
Your salivary flow, the composition of your saliva, and the overall pH of your mouth can either help or hurt your fight against cavities. When fermentable carbohydrates, bacteria, and food particles just sit in a dry mouth all day, they have plenty of time to do their damage. A good saliva flow with the right pH, on the other hand, will help keep those cavities at bay.
Shape of Your Teeth
Even the shape of your teeth can play a part in how many cavities you get. Your tooth morphology, including deeply grooved teeth, can predispose you to a buildup of food and bacteria that gets caught in those grooves, leading to greater risk of cavities. Your dentist can take a look at your teeth and help you figure out a plan of action for fighting against cavities and other dental problems.