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If you thought cavities were just for kids, think again.
Adulthood provides little protection from the scourge of these
childhood menaces.
And
when we say adulthood – we mean ALL adults – even the young ones!
“Lately I’ve seen patients in their 20s with vast cavities
everywhere,” says Dr. Steve. “That’s probably because when those kids
go away to school or move out of their parents’ house, there’s a big
change in their diet.”
Most likely that means they’re eating starchy foods and drinking
more pop – both of which lead to the sugar that causes cavities.
“Patients are always surprised when I tell them they have cavities
because they think of them as more of a part of childhood,” he says.
So the fact is, the older we get the more likely we as adults are to
develop cavities.
Dentists claim that the incidence of cavities in older adult
populations has reached epidemic proportions. That might be overstating
it a bit, but recent studies do show that once again more people are
losing their teeth to cavities than to gum disease.
Now you can protect yourself and decrease your risk of suffering
from cavities.
How
Cavities Form
Bacteria live, work and play in our mouths. Millions of these
unwelcomed guests cover our teeth and gums where they feast on left
over food particles. Unappreciative for their free meal, these bacteria
create acid as a byproduct of their feasting. It is this acid which
creates cavities by eating into tooth enamel.
”Then once the bacteria has broken through that layer of enamel, your
tooth is even more exposed the bacteria’s acid and decay become
faster,” Dr. Steve says.
During childhood, fluoride and proper dental care help reduce
cavities. The use of fluoride in toothpaste and in drinking water
strengthen tooth enamel making it more resistant to acid breakdown.
Proper brushing and flossing cleanse the mouth of offending bacteria
and the small food particles they feed on.
Why We
Get Cavities As Adults
Unlike childhood cavities, adult cavities tend to occur in the
root of the tooth. The root of the tooth is the portion of the tooth
that is usually covered by gum tissue. As gums recede the tooth root is
exposed. The surface of the root is composed of a sensitive layer of
tooth known as the cementum.
Unlike the hardened enamel found elsewhere on the tooth, the root is
sensitive to attack by cavity causing acid. As the population becomes
older, gums recede further, revealing more root and dramatically
increasing chances of developing cavities.
“A lot of times too, it has to do with genetics,” Dr. Steve says.
“If your parents have softer teeth or enamel, then you’re probably more
susceptible to cavities.”
Taking a lot of prescription medicine can also contribute to
cavities in adults.
“The bacteria that causes cavities likes a drier environment,” Dr.
Steve says. “Medication tends to dry your mouth out and as that
happens, that bacteria takes over.”
Learn How
To Protect Yourself Against Adulthood Cavities
How can we prevent the rise in adulthood cavities?
First, make sure you keep up with your routine dental check-ups and
cleaning. You can also get fluoride treatments at your dentist’s office
as well.
In between visits to your dentist, here are Dr. Steve’s
recommendations for preventing cavities:
-
Use a
fluoride mouth rise at home – such as ACT or Flouriguard – along with
fluoride tooth paste;
-
Use a
mechanical toothbrush such as the Sonic Care brush to make your teeth
cleanings more effective;
-
Try chewing
sorbital-based, sugar-free gum after meals or snacks. One popular
such chewing gum is called Xylifresh;
-
Lastly, use
a prescribed antimicrobial mouth rinses such as Peridex or Perioguard,
which contain chlorhexidine.
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