Some Myths and Facts about Cavities

We all know how bad a cavity can turn out to be. And since it is one of the most talked about topics of dentistry, you can expect people to believe in some myths about it. What’s dangerous is that those myths are propagated in the way they shouldn’t be shared. Having that said, it would be worth mentioning some myths and facts about cavities.

Myths

• Many people don’t consider it a problem if their teeth do not hurt. The matter of fact is that pain is just a symptom and it usually appears when a condition has worsened quite alarmingly. In case of a cavity, pain usually starts when the nerve is infected. This is the reason that regular checkup are very important.
• Since there is a common belief that sugar causes cavities, people usually think that consuming sugar free soda are not going to cause cavities. The matter of fact is that soda, with or without sugar, contains a lot of acid. This acid can wreak havoc on teeth by demineralizing them. This is the point from where tooth erosion can start and lead thing to tooth decay and cavities.
• Sometimes, you might get a brown spot on your teeth. That brown spot is not necessarily going to be a cavity. It may be a discoloration which you can get rid of by visiting the dentist.
• While you may be able to find some relief by putting aspirin next to the decayed tooth, it is not going to be helpful in the long run. People think that it cures cavity mainly due to the fact that it provides some relief from pain.
• Just because you have got your decayed tooth covered by filling doesn’t mean that it is going to remain like this forever. Fillings last for a certain period of time. You can make it last a bit longer by taking care of your oral hygiene in an ideal way. But, it is never going to last for a lifetime.

Facts

• One thing that you have to keep in mind about sugar is that it can cause cavities. Despite that fact that sugar does nothing if bacteria do not interact with it, there is no chance that bacteria will interact in this scenario. Any leftover of sugar is going to be consumed by bacteria; and the byproduct in form of an acid is going to contribute in the decay of tooth.
• The cavity is irreversible. Although tooth enamel is the strongest part of the body, it doesn’t have a life. It consists of mineralized crystals which can get demineralized due to acid interaction. Although the teeth are re-mineralized due to flow of saliva and other factors, this process is much slower and smaller as compared to what bacterial interaction can do after releasing acids. And since enamel is not a living part of the body, it doesn’t heal.
• If you have a cavity and you are not paying attention to it, it can turn into a bigger problem. The worse cases are treatable only by root canal or tooth extraction.
• Even if you get a tooth filled, it can still get a cavity because it has the enamel with it.

Preventing Dry Mouth While Sleeping

Dry mouth is no fun. Yet, millions of people suffer from mouth dryness. And if we talk about the time at which this condition gets worse, it’s the night time. This condition is not only uncomfortable and painful but it can also lead to some oral and dental health conditions such as gum disease and cavities. So, it is pretty much an essential requirement to get this condition of mouth dryness at night treated.

Reasons and signs of dry mouth

One thing that you have to keep in mind is that saliva is an important part of your oral cavity. The lack of saliva can result in dry mouth which can further lead to several oral health issues. One thing worth mentioning here is that the lack of saliva can lead to bad bacteria taking control of the bacterial balance of your mouth. These bacteria stick to the teeth and cause tooth decay. The acid they release is bad not only for your teeth but also for the entire mouth.

Despite the fact that mouth dryness can be pretty dangerous, it is not a health condition. Rather, it is side effect of certain medications or a byproduct of certain diseases. Mouth dryness can occur due to smoking, use of certain medications, radiation treatment, aging and certain diseases such as diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. When you have a dry mouth, you feel thirsty, unable to properly eat and speak, and you have a sticky mouth.

Preventing mouth dryness while sleeping

You may wonder what you can do to avoid mouth dryness during the night sleep. Well, there are some things that you can do during the day to prevent this dryness. For instance:

• You need to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day
• Chewing the sugar free gum can also help you avoid mouth dryness
• Use fluoride toothpaste can help you keep the saliva production stimulated and your teeth strong
• You may find use of mouth washes and toothpastes made for dry mouth helpful
• An artificial saliva product may be helpful. You can either get prescription from the dentist or you can use an over-the-counter product.
• Putting a limit on spicy foods can help
• Alcohol can dry up your mouth. So you can stop using it to get rid of the mouth dryness today
• You need to quit smoking
• If any of the medication you are using is causing mouth dryness, you need to talk to your dentist
• Make sure that you are practicing good oral hygiene.
• Keep water in your access while sleeping. That will help you get rid of the mid-night thirst.

You need to visit your dentist regularly to keep your oral and dental health in check. That will help you stay away from the mouth dryness.