You may be lucky enough to have cavity-free teeth or be a dental patient since forever, you could be a mother to a teething child or someone who just got braces, this section has something for everyone. This FAQ section is a compilation of the most common doubts asked by my patients. Also, there will be a new article on the FAQ series every week. Ask away all your dental doubts, and I promise to answer each one of them. Put your questions in the comment section below or email them on riddhi@wellnesspixie.com
Why do I get cavities in spite of brushing and flossing twice a day?
This is something that I get asked every single day. So let’s dive right in. It is true that some people get more cavities than others, even if they are more diligent about their oral hygiene. There are a couple of reasons for the same, the most common ones being genetics, diet patterns, dry mouth, and other systemic disorders.
Genetics: Just like our skin, hair and immunity genetics play a role in our teeth formation too. It is common for people to say that bad teeth run in my family because that is true. Some have thinner enamel genetically, which makes them more prone to cavities. Also, the saliva composition differs from person to person. If you are prone to cavities genetically, you might want to take a measure or two more than just brushing and flossing your teeth. You can get a fluoride treatment done or have sealants filled in the susceptible teeth, whatever your dentist feels appropriate. Along with that, you can also opt for a teeth-friendly diet.
Diet patterns: Some foods which we consume on a regular basis are laden with sugar and heavily damage our teeth. Moreover, the more frequent the consumption the more chances of you getting cavities. The reason being, foods like sodas, biscuits, and cakes reduce the pH in our mouth. Lower pH makes enamel weaker and more prone to microbial attack. Try and avoid these food items, or at least minimize their frequency.
Dry mouth: This is a condition where your mouth lacks enough saliva. And less saliva means more cavities. It could be either due to habits like mouth breathing or a side-effect of some medicines. In some cases, this is a sign of a salivary gland disease. A dental consultation should help you find out the cause and the treatment for the same.
Systemic disorders: conditions like GERD, bulimia, anorexia, and heartburns lead to either vomiting or acid reflux in the mouth, both of which make the enamel weaker and more prone to damage. Treating the root cause will help your dental condition too.
What is the correct brushing technique?
There are too many different ways people brush their teeth. Some ways are extremely harmful, while some really clean the teeth. Moreover, it is confusing when so many different videos propagate so many different techniques. There is more than one correct technique, so if you are told to brush in a particular fashion by your dentist continue doing it, below is the link to the brushing technique I personally use and advice it to all my patients too. (p.s- It is an ADA approved technique.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4iIGhqi57es
Is it possible to save a knocked-out tooth?
Yes, it is possible, but it cannot be assured. The success rate depends on a lot of factors like the condition of the tooth, the health of the surrounding tissues, and most of all, the time taken to fix it back. Ideally, the tooth should be put back in the socket within half an hour. Here is the drill to follow should you or your family member knock out a tooth.
Signing off for today, see you next week, with more answers to your dental queries.
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