Brushing your teeth throughout the day removes plaque deposits that form on the surface of your teeth. To avoid cavities, we recommend brushing after each meal, with the brushing before bedtime being the most important.

Flossing at least once every day is also necessary to remove these deposits from between the teeth, where the toothbrush bristles cannot fully reach. Scheduling a biannual check-up with us will ensure that your hygiene is up to the task of keeping decay from starting!

3. Fluoride deficiency.

Fluoride helps prevent tooth decay by actually strengthening teeth, making them more resistant to acids produced by plaque. We recommend at least three fluoride exposures per day to lower your cavity risk. Fluoride is added to most public water supplies and is in most toothpastes on the market today. If your water is from a well, you may not be getting enough fluoride to prevent cavities, so please consider discussing additional fluoride options with us.

4. Lacking sufficient saliva.

Saliva washes away food, harmful sugars, and plaque. It also helps the mouth battle high acid levels and return to a neutral environment after eating. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a normal part of aging, as salivary glands become less productive over time.

However, it is also a common side effect of more than 500 medications, including those commonly prescribed for allergies or asthma, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, pain, anxiety or depression, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s diseases. That’s just one reason why it’s so important to tell your dentist about any medications that you’re taking. There are a few products we can recommend to combat the effects of xerostomia, and drinking plenty of water to quench a dry mouth is a simple, effective place to start.

5. High levels of cavity-causing bacteria.

You’re born with almost no bacteria in your mouth, so how do you get it? During your childhood, your mother, family members, and caregivers pass on oral bacteria that lead to cavities. These bacteria are transmitted through simple acts like kissing, tasting food, or blowing on food to cool it down before giving it to baby.