The types of sugars that are the most cavity-causing are foods containing sugar that get caught and stuck in the biting surfaces of your teeth. Foods that are gummy, chewy and sticky such as dried fruit, toffee and granola bars are particularly susceptible to sticking in the biting surfaces, prolonging the exposure to sugars. When sugar is consumed, it is exposed to the natural oral bacterial and converted into acids, which then attack the teeth, causing cavities over time.
Daily vitamins that contain sugar are just like eating candy every day. Especially if the vitamin is in gummy form, it will get stuck in the biting surfaces of the teeth and be a cavity risk. Switch your daily vitamins to “sugar-free” or “xylitol-sweetened.”
Drinks containing sugar or low in PH level (acidic) sipped throughout a couple of hours pose a considerable risk for cavities. Exposure time is a greater risk factor than quantity. The length of time or frequency in which the liquid passes by the teeth will be more of a risk for cavities. From a cavity risk standpoint, gulping down a sugary drink is less of a cavity risk than drinking it slowly over a few hours. The best bet for reducing cavity risk is to reduce/eliminate all sugary and acidic drinks.
If you suffer from a dry mouth, it is essential to use a salivary substitute. Saliva acts as a natural cleanser for the teeth and gums, and without it, bacteria are more likely to stay on the teeth surfaces as cause potential cavities. Salivary substitutes act as a salivary replacement and reduce the risk of cavities, as well as reduce discomfort from dry mouth. Salivary substitutes come in several different forms, including gum, mouth rinse and lozenges.
Fluoride and xylitol both reduce your susceptibility to cavities, but in different ways. Fluoride strengthens the enamel (the outer structure of the teeth), preventing the penetration from bacteria and acids into the teeth. Xylitol changes the composition of bacteria in your mouth, reducing the cavity-causing bacteria. It is essential to incorporate these ingredients into your oral hygiene regimen in the form of toothpaste, mouth rinse and gum.
Also, to prevent cavities, it is essential to see your dentist and dental hygienist for routine cleanings and check-ups. During your appointments, your teeth and gums will be assessed and cleaned, removing cavity-causing bacteria.