Cavities remain one of the most common dental ailments people suffer from, no matter what age group. As long as you eat and drink, your teeth will be at risk of developing cavities if the proper oral hygiene measures are not taken. However, when it comes to cavity development, some people tend to associate it mainly with sugary foods and beverages. The reality is there are some surprising causes of cavities that you may not be aware of, which would put you at risk of this recurrent problem and necessitate a visit to an emergency dentist. Read on for little-known reasons why you may be developing cavities.
Food allergies
Although food allergies typically manifest in physical systems such as hives or swelling, your teeth can also become affected. When you eat foods that you may be allergic too, your body is signalled to produce allergens. The allergens stimulate the production of thicker saliva in your mouth. Although the thick saliva may seem inconsequential, it needs to be balanced with less viscous saliva to facilitate cleaning bacteria out of your mouth. When all you have is thick salvia, the bacteria is not neutralised, and this increases the likelihood of you developing cavities.
Medication
One side effect of some drugs is causing the patient to experience dry mouth. The dry mouth may be uncomfortable, but usually goes away when you get off the medication. However, people who have to take medication on a daily basis may have to live with dry mouth as part of their everyday life. These individuals would have a higher likelihood of developing cavities, as they do not have sufficient saliva in their mouth to neutralise and eradicate bacteria. If you are on daily medication, you would be best advised to counter the effects of dry mouth, or you could end up developing periodontitis, cavities and other oral problems.
Dieting
Losing weight is something a significant number of people strive towards. Whether you are doing it for your health or just want to look better, there is a myriad of crash diets, fad diets and more that promise to help you accomplish this. Nevertheless, not many people may know that the diet they are embarking on could pose the risk of them developing cavities. Some diets direct you to stick to foods that have high acidity or are packed with starch. These food groups gradually start to erode the enamel layer of your teeth, leaving them without protection against bacteria. The increased sugar coupled with bacteria will ultimately cause you tooth decay.
Share9 October 2017
Miranda Raff here. My brother is a stressed-out dental student, so I'm starting this blog on his behalf. I work in a travel agency and my brother is mortified by the number of dental tourism stories I bring home. I book short holidays for people who seem as though they are going to enjoy some relaxation in an exotic country, only to learn that they plan to have cheap dental procedures. Whilst there are good dentists in developing countries, according to my brother, the complex procedures these people plan to have simply can't be finished in such a limited time. This blog is an attempt to inform you about the high skill levels and advanced technology found in Australian dental surgeries. New techniques are being developed every year and Australian dentists are at the forefront of offering these solutions. I really hope this blog helps you to appreciate our dentists.
