Dental Caries: Are You At Risk?

While everyone is at risk from dental caries, it is mostly the young and the old who are at most risk. The former because they do not take adequate care and the latter, on account of their age and physical make up. Here are some of the factors which can make you prone to dental decay.

● Infrequent brushing

If you have the habit of not brushing your teeth twice a day, chances are that you will be at more risk of developing cavities. More to the point, when you do not brush your teeth, plaque builds up, collects bacteria which in turn releases acids that corrode your enamel.

● Location, location, location

It might surprise you to know but the real estate paradigm applies to your teeth as well. More often than not, it is the teeth located at the back of your mouth that takes the hit. This is on account of the fact that your molars are often worn down due to heavy wear and tear and therefore more prone to be easily corroded by the acid in your mouth than your other teeth.

● Snacks

It is never a good idea to eat snacks just before bedtime, you could snack on an apple or a pear, but you would still have to brush your teeth before hitting the bed. Food particulates, left overnight will spawn bacteria in your mouth which in turn will cause tooth decay. This is why it is a good idea to both brush your teeth and rinse it as well, before sleeping.

● The Food You Eat

It is always a good idea to avoid food loaded with sugar as this only contributes to tooth decay. While it may be hard to determine which food items are loaded with sugar and which are not, here’s a simple tip – just review the list of ingredients and if it contains corn syrup, avoid it.

● The Drinks You Take

Try to avoid drinking beverages like soda, or cola before going to bed, These drinks are loaded with sugar, and other chemicals and coloring agents which are not good for your teeth. Certain colas are even known to cause slight discoloration. So avoid all pre-packaged juices, colas and sodas before going to bed.

● Fluoride

Fluoride is good for your teeth and is one of the main reasons why so many brands market their toothpaste as “full of Fluoride”. In addition to toothpaste, try mouth wash or rinse that contains this element. Fluoride actually helps to stop tooth decay in its tracks, in the early stages.

● Age matters

As you grow older, your gums will recede and this will make it easier for the bacteria to attack your gums and the roots of your teeth. This is one of the main reasons why older people are more prone to tooth decay than say a forty year old adult.

These are some of the reasons why certain groups are more at risk from dental caries than others, and therefore they need to take extra care to prevent one from forming in their teeth.