I brush my teeth 2 times a day and I floss every day, yet somehow every time I go to the dentist I have yet another cavity! What is going on here!?! I suspect that I have a very thin or weak layer of enamel on my teeth which would account for my lack of protection against cavities, but I really have no idea. What can I do?
2006-10-01 19:48:42 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Dental
I'm a dentist.
Dental caries depends on 1. the proper pathogens, 2. proper environment (i.e. enough sugar for the bacteria), and 3. a susceptible host (i.e. your teeth).
You may brush your teeth 10 times a day and floss 5 times a day, but if you consume too much sugar, you're still going to get decay.
2006-10-02 20:24:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your dentist or hygienist for tips on improving your technique. Also, review your dietary habits. I have seen so many patients with cavities caused by soda and/or candy habits. Also, if you don't have much saliva, this could be part of the problem. One of the roles of saliva is to "wash" your teeth of food particles, and lack of saliva allows food, bacteria, etc to sit against the teeth and begin to break down the enamel. I highly recommend getting an electric toothbrush, preferrably a Sonicare. They are fantastic, and really get your teeth clean. Good luck.
2006-10-05 19:02:25 · answer #2 · answered by gringa1171 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am exactly the same. tooth cavity girls woooooo.
Well it happens for a number of reasons...
To much bacteria in your mouth! yes you brush but that obviously isnt enough. Your saliva isnt doing its job. You can get from ur dentist GC tooth mousse (if ur from australia otherwise ask about something similar) its a cream that u put on at night which is calcium and phosphate. Its helps make them stronger and goes into your saliva glands while you sleep. So next time saliva goes into your mouth so does all the good stuff.
Dont rinse the tooth paste out of your mouth!! you are rinsing all of the fluoride away. Leave it there its good.
Chew some sugar free gum to get all the saliva going.
Ask about Sealants for your teeth, i suspect you have deep groves on the surface of your teeth. All of the bacteria gets stuck in them and no matter how much you brush its impossible to get into the tiny crevices.
Good luck
2006-10-02 05:39:28 · answer #3 · answered by Crazy_person 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Or it could be that your saliva is not strong enough to cleanse and de--germ your mouth. (The saliva plays a role in cavity prevention).
Besides the flossing and brushing, rinse your mouth with water after eating anything. Swish the water around and get all the food particles out.
Eat a good balanced diet, including three servings of milk/yogurt/cheese per day.
2006-10-02 02:57:00 · answer #4 · answered by DinDjinn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your dentist to review your technique. Brushing and flossing can be done incorrectly and will not prevent cavities unless they are done correctly.
I mean no offense by this, as you may be the world's best flosser, but I see this rather often......
2006-10-02 06:39:44 · answer #5 · answered by Picture Taker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe splurge on a Sonicare toothbrush, it could make a huge difference! And keep up the flossing. Have the hygienist show you how to do it properly.
2006-10-02 13:17:53 · answer #6 · answered by Lady X 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask the dentist, but if you drink a lot of soda or juice, that can reek havoc on your teeth. My dentist says it takes 45 mins for the sugary drinks to leave your teeth, so if you sip soda or juice all day, it pretty much just stays there.
2006-10-02 10:43:11 · answer #7 · answered by jrgaskin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋