Can you get cavities even if you brush your teeth?

This blogpost will answer the question Can you get cavities even if you brush your teeth? And will include the following topics:How Do Cavities Form?

Here are 10 of the most common reasons as to why your teeth are still bad even after brushing them.How Can You Help Your Teeth Remineralize?When is the Best Time to Brush Your Teeth?

Why do I get cavities despite brushing and flossing my teeth twice a day?

Can you get cavities even if you brush your teeth?

Yes, you can get cavities even if you brush your teeth. Reasons for developing cavities include a lot of factors such as medical issues, brushing technique, type of toothpaste used, etc.

How Do Cavities Form?

Our teeth are composed of minerals. Bacteria in the plaque on your teeth begin to create acid whenever you eat or drink sweet or starchy foods. This acid then eats away at your teeth’s enamel, which serves as a protective covering. When the pH of your mouth falls below a critical level and becomes more acidic, the natural minerals in your teeth start to deteriorate..

It takes around 30-60 minutes for the pH in your mouth to restore to normal after eating or drinking. However, if you don’t allow your mouth time to recover after eating or drinking before taking anything else that is sweet or rich in starch, the process starts all over again and acid continues to develop.

For instance, drinking a soda in 10 minutes is healthier for your teeth than sipping it over an hour since your mouth is only exposed to the acidic drink for 10 minutes rather than continuously for an hour. The sooner your teeth can begin the re-mineralization process, the better.

Here are 10 of the most common reasons as to why your teeth are still bad even after brushing them

⦁ Using mouthwash instead of floss- While mouthwash is quite efficient at destroying some of the most common germs that cause foul breath and other problems, it is not a substitute for flossing. Flossing helps you to get into the corners of your teeth to eliminate plaque, whereas mouthwash does not.

⦁ Inadequate brushing time- failing to brush your teeth for a suitable length of time can contribute to chronic deterioration. Cleaning your teeth for two minutes is the ideal length of time; you may set a timer on your phone or anything similar to ensure that you are brushing your teeth thoroughly.

⦁ Brushing your teeth just in the morning- Many people only clean their teeth in the morning and do not brush them at night. This entirely defeats the point of cleaning your teeth, since various things from the meals you eat will begin to accumulate on your teeth throughout the day. This is why it’s necessary to brush your teeth twice a day, in the morning and at night..

⦁Brushing your teeth too hard- brushing your teeth too hard can cause gum recession and deterioration of the enamel. Brush your teeth gently, yet vigorously enough that you may feel a cleaning motion..

⦁ Skipping flossing your teeth because you see blood- many people avoid flossing their teeth because they notice blood when they do so. This isn’t always a terrible indication because your body creates blood flow in those locations to help remove the infection or bacteria that is producing complications.

⦁ Only use floss picks- while floss picks are handy, they do not allow you to go deep in between the crevices of your teeth as regular dental floss does. Because of this, using solely floss picks might cause your teeth to rot even if you brush your teeth regularly.

⦁ Brushing your teeth with non-ADA teeth whitening products- brushing your teeth with whitening products not validated by the ADA can put you at risk for all sorts of oral conditions. Only use teeth whiteners that have the official ADA seal on them to avoid any problems.

⦁Using any toothpaste- not all toothpaste can be made equal, and some have chemicals like as colouring or other components that may react negatively with your biology. Consult with your dentist to get a personalised physical so you can choose which toothpaste is best for you.

⦁Only going to the dentist when your teeth hurt- you should go to the dentist at least once a year for a basic cleaning. Visiting your dentist only when your teeth pain might put you at risk for a plethora of complications.

How Can You Help Your Teeth Remineralize?

Saliva plays an important role in keeping your teeth healthy. It functions as a natural barrier against damaging elements and help in their elimination. Because the minerals contained in your teeth are also found in your saliva, saliva helps restore calcium and phosphate to your teeth after you eat.

However, there are situations when this is insufficient, which is when fluoride comes into play. Fluoride is embedded in your saliva and helps preserve your teeth when you use fluoride toothpaste or drink fluoride-containing tap water. As an outcome, the next time your teeth are recovering from the sugar and acid in the drink or meal you ate, they may use the fluoride minerals in your saliva to form a stronger, more decay-resistant enamel.

When is the Best Time to Brush Your Teeth?

Plaque-causing bacteria grow in your mouth as you sleep. Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning can help remove plaque and bacteria that has accumulated from the night before. Brushing your teeth first thing in the morning is also beneficial since it introduces fluoride into your mouth before you consume your first meal of the day. Removing the bacteria that proliferated over night reduces the quantity of particles in your meal that convert to acid.

If you are one of those individuals who brushes their teeth after every meal, probably wait 30 minutes before doing so. If you clean your teeth right after eating a meal, you may be losing the beneficial minerals in your saliva.  and if you need to rinse your mouth after eating, drinking water or chewing sugarless gum it can help improve saliva flow, allowing it to accomplish its job of keeping your teeth healthy.

Finally, brushing your teeth before going to bed might help to reduce any extended acid exposure while you sleep. Brushing twice a day is recommended to help eliminate toxic germs and debris from your mouth. You may, however, improve your oral hygiene by brushing first thing in the morning when you get up and last thing before going to bed at night.

Why do I get cavities despite brushing and flossing my teeth twice a day?

Brushing and flossing correctly is one of the most effective methods to avoid cavities. However, even if people practise good dental hygiene, they may get caries. Let’s have a look at some of the probable causes of tooth decay despite frequent brushing and flossing.

Your toothpaste might be the source of the problem.

If you develop dental difficulties within a few days after changing your toothpaste, it is likely that your toothpaste has a greater relative dentin abrasion (RDA) value. Such dental care products have the potential to harm the surface of the teeth. Choose a product with an RDA value of 250 or less, whether it is conventional or whitening toothpaste. Make certain that it bears the ADA stamp of certification.

Molars and premolars remain prone to decay

Back teeth (molars and premolars) are important for breaking down food before swallowing. They feature many nooks, pits, and grooves that catch food particles. Furthermore, they are more difficult to clean and can rapidly become a plaque breeding ground. Because of these features, they are more prone to decay and cavities.

Avoiding toothpaste containing fluoride is not a good idea

Fluoride can be quite beneficial since it prevents cavities in the early stages of damage. It can also, to some extent, repair tooth damage by rebuilding enamel. Unfortunately, consumers utilise fluoride-free natural alternatives in dental care products. Despite brushing on a regular basis, their dental health suffers owing to a lack of fluoride. As a result, dentists advise patients to use fluoride-containing toothpaste and mouth rinse.. 

Hereditary issues

Due to a family history of oral health problems, certain people are always at a higher risk of getting them. According to research, you cannot totally blame family history for dental decay. However, research has shown that inherited issues can cause thin enamel, jaw difficulties, misaligned and discoloured teeth. Significant misalignment needs treatment with clear aligners or braces. To repair minor alignment concerns and gaps between two teeth, a dental bonding procedure may be the best solution.

Brushing and flossing incorrectly

If the tips of your bristles are oriented towards the gum line, they will eliminate the plaque and debris that has gathered on the surface and pits. Remember that pushing harder on the tooth surface will not result in better outcomes. Instead, wash your teeth for at least two minutes. Give equal weight to areas along the gum line and chewing surfaces. All tooth surfaces can benefit from gentle, brief strokes. Bridges, fillings, and crowns require special attention while cleaning. 

Flossing can help remove food particles and plaque that the toothbrush cannot reach. Floss up and down between the spaces. Squeegee all sides of the teeth using it as a tool. Floss as many teeth as you can. Brush your tongue softly once a day for fresher breath. If necessary, use a tongue cleaning.

Frequent snacking can create problems

Rather than a complete meal, some dieticians recommend frequent snacking periods. Unfortunately, this causes acid to fall on the teeth on a regular basis. Snacking on foods containing even a trace of sugar throughout the day can result in a constant layer of plaque-causing bacteria in the mouth.

Because of the sugar content in foods like chips, dry cereal, chewy candies, cookies, dried fruits, and cake, dangerous germs can thrive. Surprisingly, sticky particles in honey and dairy products make the list, as they can adhere to the teeth and cause decay over time. Rinsing with water will not remove these particles. Brushing twice a day may not be enough in such instances, since dirt and sugar can remain on the teeth for hours.

It is preferable to eat more substantial meals rather than allowing food to remain on teeth throughout the day. Brushing twice a day is essential for persons who eat a lot of snacks. Furthermore, cleaning your mouth after each meal might help to reduce dangerous germs in your mouth and increase saliva production.

Reflux or vomiting

Acid reflux causes patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to have stomach acid in their mouth. Dental enamel is eroded and discoloured as a result of this acid. To put it another way, teeth lose their protective layer and become sensitive to sweets, cold, and hot meals. Brushing alone is ineffective. Such individuals should seek therapy for GERD as soon as possible after determining the cause of their reflux or vomiting. 

Dry mouth

Acid is produced in the mouth by bad bacteria from consumed food, and saliva is the strongest protection against it. It removes plaque and prevents cavities by controlling the growth of deterioration. Some drugs have an effect on the salivary glands in the mouth, causing a dry mouth. Ignoring this medical problem might have a negative impact on a person’s dental health in a short period of time. As a result, patients must notify their doctors about their dry mouth. If the doctor suspects a pharmaceutical adverse effect, he or she will prescribe a different prescription.

Teeth-grinding

Teeth grinding can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress and anxiety, TMJ dysfunction, crooked teeth, an irregular bite, and sleep problems. Patients may be unaware that they are grinding their teeth.

Grinding your teeth wears away at the enamel and exposes the tooth’s sensitive layers. A dentist can check your mouth and determine whether or not you are grinding your teeth. Using a mouth guard or other dental aids to treat the same can help prevent future injury.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Do cavities get worse even if you brush?

No, cavities do not get worse even if you brush.Brushing properly prevents cavities. But once a cavity is formed, brushing cannot eliminate it but can help slow down its growth.

Why does my tooth decay even when I brush?

There are many reasons why you may have decay even after brushing your teeth. These could include using the wrong type of toothpaste, uncerterfied products, wrong brushing techniques, or having medical problems, dry mouth, etc.

Will you get a cavity if you brush your teeth once a day?

Yes, you may get cavities if you brush your teeth once a day. It is recommended to brush at least twice a day once in the morning and once before going to bed at night for 2 minutes each.

Can you brush away a cavity?

No,you cannot brush away a cavity. Once a cavity has developed it has to be treated by a dentist as soon as possible.

Is brushing twice a day too much?

No, brushing twice a day is not too much. Brushing twice a day for 2-3 minutes is ideally recommended.

Other FAQs about Teeth Cavities that you may be interested in.

Can you fill a cavity without numbing?

Can you drive home after getting a cavity filled?

Can you be put under for multiple cavities?