5 Different Causes of Tooth Decay -- and How to Improve the Condition of Your Teeth

February 29, 2024

When your tooth aches, the throbbing pain may sometimes make you wish to extract them right away to avoid these discomforts. But maybe you just need a little reminder that it’s often due to tooth decay and other tooth problems that you let stay for a while.

Also, it may be best to look at the possible causes that could have prevented these painful tooth episodes or may help you avoid them in the future.

Some Causes of Tooth Decay

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Your oral hygiene simply means taking extra care of your teeth and mouth to make it healthy every day. Of course, that means brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste not only to remove food particles but to kick off plaque as well.

A regular dental check-up will help you with professional cleaning and early issue detection of decay. Also, hygienic activities like flossing and using mouthwash to clean between teeth and remove bad-breath-causing bacteria are also helpful to avoid the risks of tooth and mouth issues later.

Developing these mouth hygiene habits can help you have forever-healthy gums, teeth, and a smile to boot.

2. Drugs and Medications

Certain medications, like antihistamines and antidepressants like Benadryl and Prozac, may make your mouth dry and reduce saliva production. And since your saliva helps neutralize the acids in your mouth, your teeth will not have enough shield against tooth decay without them.

Also, the Suboxone film, which is a medication originally for opioid addiction, contains ingredients like mannitol and citric acid. These contents could foster enamel erosion and other dental problems that have been the subject of lawsuits in many states today.

You can ask your personal injury attorney or contact Dolman Law Group for more information about Suboxone lawsuits. Especially if you feel you’re one of those experiencing tooth issues after using Suboxone films.

Also, it’s understandable and safer if you ask your Doctor not only about the efficacy of your medications but also their ingredients. These might contain formulations that could be harmful to you and your family. So it’s better to be proactive and sure than sorry.

3. Sugary Foods and Drinks

You need to do more than just brushing and flossing your way to maintain good oral hygiene. It also means you have to be mindful or watch out, especially those you eat and drink. These sugary foods and drinks can be agents of tooth decay if you’re not careful.

The sugars react with bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to acid buildup and erode your tooth enamel. So, if you limit the sweets that you eat, like candies and sodas, you reduce the risk of unwanted cavities and keep overall health in check.

4. Acidic Foods and Beverages

Acidic foods and drinks may not only harm your stomach, but citrus fruits and not-so-healthy sodas may erode your tooth’s enamel and lead to tooth decay. While you can avoid sodas, you might not be as strong to let the taste and smell of citrus pass.

So, it might be best to rinse your mouth with water thoroughly after every citrus or soda indulgence to dilute acids and minimize their impact and harmful effects on your teeth. But, it’s more advisable for you to avoid brushing immediately after taking in acidic fruits and drinks, as your enamel becomes temporarily softened, and you might cause even more damage than good.

Wait at least 30 minutes so your saliva can first remineralize your enamel before you brush your teeth. Also, you can limit your acidic intake and practice proper oral hygiene to help safeguard your teeth from decay and other issues.

5. Genetics

Some of your tooth problems might be because of the factors you inherit from your old folks. These are some influences that may make you quite susceptible to many dental problems, like tooth structure, saliva composition, and your immune responses to bacteria.

Your genes may be one of those people who have weaker enamel and produce less saliva, making them more prone to decay. These factors can also affect how effectively your teeth can resist acid attacks and fight bacterial colonization.

Understanding your tooth’s genetic makeup can help you customize applicable dental care strategies, like regular dental check-ups and other hygiene maintenance steps.

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