There are a lot of things that can cause dental problems but what causes cavities? Some are factors beyond your control like genetics or a pre-existing disease while some are actually a result of something that you did like poor dental hygiene and not watching what you eat.

Read on to see a list of what causes cavities.

Common Causes of Cavities

Poor oral hygiene

You should never slack on your dental care. When you do not brush or floss regularly, you make your teeth vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities. It’s not enough to do these things regularly. You should also do them thoroughly to avoid cavities.

Poor diet

What you eat has a direct effect on your body and the same goes for your teeth. You should avoid eating too many sugary foods and drinks. Bacteria loves to feed off from the residue they leave on your teeth.

Weak enamel

Some people are born with naturally weak enamel. They often have to deal with tooth sensitivity and have to take extra care of their teeth. If you have sensitive teeth, avoid acidic food since it weakens the enamel and makes you more vulnerable to cavities.

Deep tooth crevices

Plaque can easily gather and grow around teeth with deep crevices. If you know you have this situation, you should be more thorough while you’re cleaning your teeth to avoid plaque buildup.

Dry mouth

Your saliva has lysozyme, an enzyme that inhibits the growth of plaque naturally. If you have dry mouth problems, this means you are not producing enough saliva. Lysozyme will be limited and this weakens your defense against tooth decay and cavities.

Gum recession

When your gums recede, more of your tooth gets exposed. Sometimes, the root of your tooth would show up. This gives a bigger area for plaque and bacteria to work on your tooth.

Genetics

Some people are more prone to dental issues like cavities because they inherited this genetic weakness. Although this can’t be helped, you can always be vigilant in maintaining good oral hygiene to lessen the problem.

Teeth grinding

Grinding your teeth together strips off the enamel slowly, leaving your teeth prone to cavities. A lot of people do not realize they grind their teeth because it often happens while they are sleeping.

If you are aware that you grind your teeth have this habit, visit a dentist and see if you need a bite guard to wear while you sleep.

Changes in routine

When you go through changes in your normal routine like a new schedule, a new diet, or going through more stress than usual, you are actually affecting your oral hygiene as well. Your immune responses affect your body and these changes in your routine can cause factors like food cravings, inflammation, and dry mouth.

Overbrushing

While we emphasize the importance of brushing your teeth regularly and thoroughly, you also have to make sure that you do not overdo it. Brushing too hard with a hard brush will cut away your enamel. Make sure you brush gently and that you do not rush into it.

Not seeing your dentist

A lot of people avoid getting a dental checkup. It is advised to get a routine checkup and deep cleaning every 6 months. If you follow this, your dentist can easily catch any dental issues and stop them from developing any further.

Last Thoughts

The sooner you treat a cavity, the better the chances of avoiding a dead tooth and getting to keep your natural teeth. But of course, the best way to prevent cavities is to avoid situations that could cause them in the first place. After going through this article, we are confident that you will be able to fight off cavities and know when to deal with them right away.

For further information, learn about the tooth decay process here.