Some Hidden Causes of Tooth Cavities and How a Family Dentist Can Help

Cavities are the breakdown of the mineral components of the tooth and can affect anyone at any age, leaving your teeth weak and vulnerable to damage. Most people will have a cavity or two, and you will be surprised to know that some cavities can be painless and even go unnoticed. However, hidden cavities can be dangerous because they continue to weaken your tooth structure when left unchecked, causing infections or excruciating pain. While a family dentist can remedy tooth cavities by removing the decay and filling the affected area, avoiding them entirely can save you a lot of trouble. Here are various hidden causes to watch out for.

Medications 

Although medications help maintain your health, some can facilitate the formation of dental cavities. Formulations with high sugar content such as chewable vitamins and cough syrups can directly damage your teeth by causing cavity symptoms. Your family dentist may advise sugar-free vitamin solutions or pills instead of chewable vitamins to minimise the risk of side effects. 

Dietary Choices 

Dental cavities are a diet-related problem, and the foods you consume every day could be breaking down your tooth enamel, leading to cavities. Frequent consumption of highly acidic foods, starches and sugary foods is dangerous for root surfaces and increases the risk of dental cavities. A family dentist will seek to understand your relationship with food and consequently determine high-risk foods for dental cavities to advise on better nutrition.

Genetics 

If you wonder why you can't seem to shake off a cavity or two every time you see your dentist, your genes might be the culprit. While bad teeth are almost always the result of bad habits, your family members might be more susceptible to developing cavities than others due to genetics. For example, your kids might have softer teeth enamel due to your enamel structure or sweet tooth habits leading to a preference for sugary snacks. Additionally, if your family has crowded teeth, you may have trouble flossing or thoroughly brushing hard-to-reach areas, leaving your teeth prone to bacteria. Frequent visits to your family dentist should help you fight off cavity-causing bacteria even when bad genes are to blame for your shortcomings. 

Remember, you may not notice any signs or symptoms of cavities until it's too late. As such, it is important to see your family dentist regularly to examine your oral health and conduct X-rays if needed. A qualified dentist has the equipment to detect small lesions at the earliest stage to help protect, treat and preserve your teeth.