Why am I getting cavities all of a sudden?

This blogpost will answer the question why am I getting cavities all of a sudden? And will include the following topics:Cavities/tooth decay

Symptoms of cavity

Causes of cavity

Risk factors of cavity

Complications of cavity

Reasons why people can suffer with cavities all of a sudden.

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

Why am I getting cavities all of a sudden?

There are various reasons why you could be getting cavities all of sudden. These can include changes in diet, stress, medical conditions etc.

Cavities/tooth decay

Cavities are small openings or holes that develop on the surface of the tooth due to tooth decay. Tooth decay is called dental caries and happens due to the acid attack by the bacteria present in the mouth. Tooth decay starts from the top layer protective layer that is the enamel and if not treated, progresses deep into the tooth upto the root and even the bone.

Cavities and tooth decay are among the world’s most common health problems. They’re especially common in children, teenagers and older adults. But anyone who has teeth can get cavities, including infants

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of cavities can vary, depending on the extent and location. In the initial stages, you may not even experience any symptoms. 

Symptoms begin to show when the decay progresses in the enamel.

You may experience one or more of these symptoms:

Toothache

Tooth sensitivity when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold

Visible holes or cavities on your teeth

Brown, black or white discoloration on the surface of a tooth

Pain while biting

Inflamed gums

Swelling on the face

Unpleasant taste

Mild fever

Loss of appetite

Causes

Cavities are caused due to tooth decay. 

Tooth decay can occur due to various reasons:

Poor oral hygiene

Regular intake of sugary foods.

Decreased salivary secretion ( may happen due to certain health condition or medications)

Not flossing regularly

Wrong brushing technique

Smoking

Not getting regular dental check-ups

Eating food high in acid frequently and not rinsing your mouth afterwards.

Receding gums

Risk factors

Every individual is at risk of developing cavities, but there some factors that may increase the risk such as: 

Tooth location

Cavities mostly occur in the tooth located at the back. These teeth are bigger in size and have more grooves and pits compared to the teeth in the front. Therefore food gets easily accumulated or stuck in these grooves, also they are more difficult to clean due to low accessibility. 

Certain foods and drinks

Foods that can get stuck in the teeth for a longer time like cookies, chips, breads, caramel, chocolate promote cavities. Also drinks that are acidic and/or sugary like sodas, soft drinks, milk etc promote tooth decay. Certain fruits that are acidic like oranges, limes can cause tooth decay if you do not rinse your mouth immediately after eating them. 

Frequent snacking or sipping

When you snack or munch frequently, the bacteria present in your mouth repeatedly produce acid and attack the enamel eventually causing demineralization and cavities. Hence frequency snacking and even drinking of sugary/acidic drinks should be avoided.

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Bedtime infant feeding

When babies are given bedtime bottles filled with milk, formula, juice or other sugar-containing liquids, these beverages remain on their teeth for hours while they sleep, feeding decay-causing bacteria. This damage is often called baby bottle tooth decay. 

Inadequate brushing

If you don’t clean your teeth or at least rinse your mouth as soon as you finish eating and drinking, plaque will begin to form which is the first stage of decay.

Not getting enough fluoride

Fluoride is  a natural mineral, the enamel consists of fluoride and has a potential to repair itself because of it. Fluoride helps prevent cavities and can even reverse the earliest stages of tooth damage. You get fluoride from the water you drink and your toothpaste. 

Lack of fluoride leads to it’s deficiency in the enamel, making it prone to cavities. 

Dry mouth

Reduced saliva leads to dry mouth. Saliva plays a major role in washing away decay-causing bacterias, hence reduced saliva in some individuals can make them more susceptible to decay. Dry mouth can happen due to certain medical conditions like Sjogren’s syndrome, diabetes etc. it can also happen due to intake of come medicines like antihistamines, antipsychotic, antidepressants etc. Sometimes therapies like radiotherapy or chemotherapy can also lead to dry mouth.

Worn fillings or dental devices

Faulty or broken fillings can easily become a site of plaque accumulation leading to tooth decay and cavities.

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Complications

An untreated cavity can lead to a lot of complications both in the mouth and in the body. 

Complications of the mouth :

Pain

Tooth abscess

Swelling around a tooth

Pus around the tooth

Damage or broken teeth

Chewing problems

Complications in the body:

Infections 

Cardiovascular problems

Pregnancy complications

Kidney disorders

Dementia etc

Reasons why people can suffer with cavities all of a sudden.

Drinking More Soda

When you drink a lot of soda, the sugar combines with the bacteria in your saliva to produce acid. Unfortunately, the acid produced targets your teeth and, over time, begins eroding away sections of your teeth, finally causing cavities. Furthermore, both conventional and sugar-free sodas contain their own acids, resulting in a conflict within your tongue.

Consuming More Sugary Foods

We’re all aware of how sugar erodes and weakens the enamel on our teeth. With a rise in the intake of high-sugar meals, your teeth are always at war.

Gums Pulling Away From Your Teeth (gum recession)

Gum recession is a condition that develops as you get older. The root of the tooth is exposed as a result of this sad incident. Because the root of your tooth lacks the same protective enamel as the rest of your teeth, it is more susceptible to decay and cavities.

Dry Mouth

Saliva includes vital components that help your body digest food and keep your teeth healthy and robust. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that help to maintain tooth enamel and reduce the risk of tooth decay. Life, on the other hand, is full of activities that might induce dry mouth, such as hard exercise. When the amount of saliva in your mouth decreases, your teeth are more vulnerable to decay and cavities.

Too Much Stress

Stress has an impact on more than simply your mood. It has an impact on your entire body, including your sleep. When you’re stressed, you could develop bruxism, which is a word for grinding your teeth and clenching your jaws. Bruxism can cause dental enamel to wear away causing the tips of the teeth to appear flat. When the protective enamel layer is worn away, the way is opened for tooth decay and cavities.

Sucking on Cough Drops

If you have a cold that leads you to suck on cough drops more frequently, you’re more likely to acquire cavities.  These cough treatments are high in sugar, which can lead to tooth rot. To top it off, most individuals are unaware that cough drops include sugar, therefore they do not wash their teeth after using them.

Excessively Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth will help you avoid cavities, but brushing them too much will make them worse. When you brush too hard, the toothbrush bristles shave away at your protective enamel coating, resulting in deterioration and cavities in the long term.

A Decrease in Flossing

Food gets stuck between your teeth when you eat. Even after brushing your teeth, the toothbrush bristles do not reach all of the food particles. This food remains in our teeth for a long period, eventually forming bacterial plaque. Flossing your teeth reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease by preventing bacteria from multiplying. Not flossing on a regular basis has the opposite impact, hastening the onset of tooth decay and cavities.

Consuming More Acidic Foods

Eating more acidic foods, such as drinking soda, causes unanticipated tooth damage and cavities. Acidic meals can wear away at your teeth’s enamel.

A Decline in Teeth Brushing

This is self-explanatory. Our parents and dentists have always told us that if we want strong and healthy teeth, we should wash our teeth at least twice a day. Surprisingly, several people ignore this crucial piece of information. One-quarter of individuals, including one-third of men, admit to not brushing their teeth twice a day. Furthermore, cleaning your teeth only once a day increases your risk of dental decay and cavities by 33%.

Not Going to the Dentist

If your teeth have always been healthy and strong, you may believe that visiting the dentist is a waste of time. However, this act of presuming is another cause of cavity creation. Remember that dental decay leads to cavities over time, thus cavities can be avoided if tooth decay is detected early. Putting off regular dental examinations raises your risk of acquiring cavities.

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)

Why do I all of a sudden have so many cavities?

Cavities can be triggered by various factors such as a sudden change in diet, stress, medical conditions, certain drugs or treatments like chemotherapy, teeth grinding etc.

Why do I have cavities even though I brush and floss?

Brushing and flossing do keep your teeth clean but there are many other factors that can influence cavities. These include dry mouth, teeth grinding, mouth breathing, certain drugs, stress etc.

How do you stop a cavity from growing?

You can stop a cavity by growing only by getting it filled by a dentist.

Can cavities develop overnight?

No, cavities do not develop overnight. Cavities take weeks, months and sometimes even years to form.

Can you brush away a cavity?

No, you cannot brush away a cavity. It has to be treated by a dentist.

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

Can you keep a cavity from getting worse?

Can you have multiple cavities in one tooth?

Can you have holes in your teeth that aren’t cavities?