Does it feel like you get more cavities than you should? Do you brush for a full two minutes twice a day, floss regularly, and use mouthwash, but still end up with one or two every time you see your dentist? It can be particularly irritating if you have a friend or family member who doesn’t have great dental habits like you, and yet they seem to get fewer cavities! If this sounds familiar, you may be more prone to tooth decay than others. Answer the following questions to see what might be increasing your chances of getting a cavity, and what you can do about it!
Do You Snack Throughout the Day?
Cavities aren’t necessarily about how much sugar you’re eating, but how long those sugars stay in your mouth. If you eat a slice of cake and brush your teeth right afterward, you’ll remove a lot of those sugars. On the other hand, if you’re snacking throughout the day, your teeth are exposed to lingering sugars for hours. The longer sugars stay on your teeth, the more cavities they can form.
If you’re an all-day snacker, a few simple changes to your eating habits can reduce the number of cavities you get. Limit how often you eat, and don’t let yourself mindlessly graze on snacks as you work, do chores, or watch TV. Try healthier snack alternatives that can help you reduced tooth decay like sugar-free gum, raisins, apples, almonds, and cheese
How Do Your Teeth Look?
For some mouths, it’s the natural shape or position of teeth that increase the risk of cavities. Teeth with deep grooves or overcrowded, crooked teeth create spaces that sugars and bacteria can get to, but the bristles on your toothbrush can’t. These hard to clean nooks and crannies are the perfect place for tooth decay to form.
Thankfully, your dentist can reach those hard to get places. When you go in for your regular checkups and cleaning, they can thoroughly clean out and sanitize your grooved or overcrowded teeth to help fight off future bacteria. While you’re there, you can ask your dentist if dental sealants or orthodontics would help lower your risk of cavities as well.
Do You Have Allergies or Asthma?
Allergies and asthma usually go hand in hand, and they can both increase your chances of getting cavities by causing dry mouth. Your saliva is responsible for constantly rinsing sugars off your teeth and strengthening your enamel. If your mouth is dry, there’s no saliva to protect your enamel or hinder the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. What’s worse is that allergy medications and asthma inhalers often also cause dry mouth!
The solution is not to stop taking lifesaving or life-improving medications for your asthma, allergies, or any other conditions that cause a chronically dry mouth. The key is to stay as hydrated as possible. Consciously making an effort to drink extra water throughout your day will rinse out your mouth and encourage your mouth to produce saliva. For even more support, try using an enamel-strengthening mouthwash every night.
Of course, one of the best ways for anyone to reduce cavities is to see your dentist for checkups and cleanings every 6 months. If you’re cavity prone, regularly seeing your dentist and identifying what’s increasing your risk of cavities can help you maintain a happy, healthy smile for years to come!
About the Author
Torbram Dental provides general, preventive, and family dentistry in Brampton, ON. Our experienced team of dentists tirelessly completes numerous courses of continuing education to stay updated in the latest advances in dentistry. They are passionate about preventive dentistry and helping patients maintain healthy, cavity-free smiles. If you’d like to know more, they can be reached via his website or at 1(905)792-7163.
Simrit has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She started her career with Assisting/Treatment co-ordinating and then moved on to becoming the Hygiene Co Ordinator in 2005. In 2012 she took on a new role as the Marketing Director. Though she loved being the Marketing Director, in 2015 she became the Office Manager of Torbram Dental. She completed her Level 1 Dental Assisting program with Career Canada in 1996 and then went on to complete her Level II Dental Assisting Diploma with Southwestern Medix in 1999. That is when she received NDAEB Certification. Simrit has been and still is an active member of the Ontario Dental Assistants Association since 2000. She enjoys hiking and traveling with her husband and two kids and loves to explore new restaurants, especially high-tea venues.
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Jessica, one of our receptionists, is one of the smiling faces you see when you arrive at the office. She graduated with honours from Medix College with a diploma as a Level 2 Dental Assistant. When she is not happily helping our patients, Jessica enjoys spending quality time with her friends and family, going to church on Sunday mornings, gardening and going on hikes.
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Naudia has been working at Torbram Dental for many years and is a valued member of our administrative team: as a dental receptionist and in our marketing team . She graduated from Everest College with honours level 1 and 2, with a diploma in Dental Assisting. Naudia is always there for our patients, making sure that they receive the care and attention they deserve. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and indulging in civil court TV shows.
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Ramandeep has been a part of Torbram Dental for the past 10 years as certified dental assistant. She obtained her level 1 certification from Everest college in Brampton in 2013, and then her level 2 certification in 2014 from Medix college. Her career path through the clinic has been recognized by staff at all levels who admire her work ethic and dedication to million dollar smiles. In her spare time, Ramandeep enjoys cooking and gardening, and spending time with her husband and 2 kids.
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Sana is a valued member of our dental hygiene team. In 2008 she completed her education at George Brown in Dental Assisting and in 2016 she earned her diploma in Dental Hygiene from the Canadian Academy of Dental Health and Sciences. Sana has been working in dentistry since 2008 and enjoys taking care of our patients and helping them with their oral health. She is married and is busy with her 2 young children. In her spare time, Sana enjoys going out with the family, trying out new places to eat and is looking forward to travelling with them in the future.
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Sanaria has been working at Torbram Dental for many years as a valued member of our Dental Assisting Team. She completed her level 2 dental assisting certification and previously obtained a degree in Education and worked as a quality control officer in the pharmaceutical industry. When not at work Sanaria loves to bake and cook. She also loves story time and enjoying the outdoors with her children. She always sees the positive side of life, believes that nothing is impossible and that if you set a goal and work at it, that you will make your dreams come true.
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Carrie has been working at Torbram Dental since 2001. She graduated from George Brown College in 1998 with a Dental Assistant Diploma and continued to further her education by completing a Dental Hygiene Diploma in 2001 at Durham College. Carrie is a highly trained and experienced Registered Dental Hygienist who continues to learn and grow by updating her knowledge to provide her clients with the best Oral Health Care techniques and information. Carrie is passionate about Dentistry and is known for her gentle and compassionate manner. She feels strongly about building lasting relationships and trust with her clients to help them understand that good Oral Health leads to good Overall Health. Carrie enjoys travelling, dabbling in decorating and a good Netflix series in her time off. Carrie resides in Halton Hills with her husband and two children.
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Daniela's interest in Dentistry began in Gr.6 when she wrote a speech entitled "My Life as a Toothbrush".
A Registered Dental Hygienist with 22 years of clinical experience, Daniela still has a great passion for her career. The most rewarding aspect for her is building lasting relationships with her patients, and seeing them through to a healthier smile.
Her thorough yet gentle touch will ensure a comfortable visit every time.
Daniela is a total Foodie and loves to cook and enjoys all types of cuisines. She loves Florida, Cruises, organizing things, and most of all spending time with family and friends.
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Stephanie Enjoys getting to know all new patients at Torbram Dental and catching up with long standing Patients. Stephanie enjoys spending quality time with her family. One of her favorite things to do with her daughter is teach and play the piano. Stephanie likes going on walks with her husband and enjoys spending as much time with him as he is an Active Member of the Canadian Army. On Sundays, Stephanie enjoys going to Church and looks forward to Sunday Dinner with her entire family. Stephanie's Favorite thing to do to start her day right is head to her local Starbucks and Grab her favorite drink, an iced black tea with light lemonade on warm days and a blonde vanilla latte on those cold winter days.
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