Why do I get cavities if I brush my teeth?

A common question we get is: “why do I still get cavities if I brush my teeth?”.  Many people think that brushing is enough to prevent all cavities.  But there are many other reasons cavities form.

Lack of proper and frequent brushing and flossing (a waterpick can substitute for floss), are the most common reasons for getting cavities.  We all know that food left on teeth causes bacteria to make acid which eats away at your teeth and causes decay.  So if you are brushing but forget to floss or waterpick, you are actually leaving a lot of food behind in between teeth, which is a common place for decay to start.

What many people don’t realize is that your teeth have grooves in them where food and bacteria can get stuck.  Some people have naturally deep grooves, which are difficult to keep clean, no matter how hard you try, so you may still get  cavities in those parts of your teeth even if you brush and floss 3 times a day.

The presence of saliva acts as a buffer so if you have dry mouth, you are much more likely to have teeth problems.  Other causes include grinding, since you are wearing away enamel, which protects your teeth; genetics, where you may have inherited enamel issues, which can cause cavities, and lack of proper nutrition, can all lead to tooth decay.

So if your dentist finds tooth decay and you thought you were diligent with your home care, it may be that there are other causes for your tooth problems so make sure to discuss concerns with your dentist.