Cavity Control

St. Paul, Woodbury, Minneapolis, Hudson, Lake Elmo, Stillwater, Minnesota

There is a lot of information out there about what causes cavities and how to control them. This is important information to know since cavities, or dental caries, are easy to prevent in most cases. Unfortunately, tooth decay is one of the most prevalent dental problems among children and adults. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that nearly 40 percent of children have their first cavity before they enter Kindergarten.

Many people may believe that children are the only ones who get cavities. However, when you undergo your biannual dental cleanings at the Centre for Distinctive Dentistry, cavities are one of the problems that general dentist in Woodbury, Dr. Nippoldt, and his experienced staff are looking for. Also, contrary to popular belief, cavities are not caused by how much sugar you consume. It is the bacteria that breaks down the sugar found in carbohydrates that have collected on the teeth over time.

Cavity Forming Bacteria

The specific bacteria that can cause cavities are mutans streptococci and lactobacilli. When you eat food and drink beverages, bacteria form plaque on your teeth. After eating, bacteria secrete waste in the form of acid. These secretions then cause tooth enamel to erode. Demineralization occurs because teeth are made up primarily of minerals.

Other Causes of Cavities

Saliva is very important in counterbalancing the acidic environment in your mouth that causes the formation of cavities. If the flow of saliva is impaired, the chance for developing cavities increases. Diseases like diabetes inhibit the flow of saliva, as do some over the counter medications. Chewing tobacco has a high sugar content, which can increase the chance of cavity formation. Smokers are at a higher risk of cavities because smoking in general raises the risk of gum disease. When your gums recede, the root surface of the tooth is exposed causing root-surface cavities.

Treatment and Control of Cavities

The easiest way to control cavities is to prevent them in the first place. Brush and floss regularly and visit the Centre for Distinctive Dentistry for your biannual cleaning and general dentistry oral health. Removing plaque and preventing the formation of it in the future is important to keeping cavities from forming.

Other ways to control cavity formation is by eating right. Chewing raw vegetable fiber like celery will neutralize bacterial acid by diluting carbohydrates, as well as push saliva to areas where food may be trapped in your teeth. You should also avoid excessive snacking since bacteria will break sugars into acids very quickly. After eating, you should rinse your mouth out with water or brush to avoid buildup of cavity forming plaque. Fluoridated water has also been shown to decrease cavity formation.

If you would like to learn more about ways to control cavities and live in the St. Paul, Minneapolis, or Woodbury, Minnesota area, please contact our dentist, Dr. Nippoldt at the Centre for Distinctive Dentistry for all of your general dentistry needs.