If you have been wondering why you are getting cavities as you get older, we have some answers for you! There is a reason we become more cavity-prone over time, which is why you should always supplement your daily oral hygiene care with twice-a-year visits with our dentist, Dr. Anna Dneprov. Let’s take a look!
Q. Why am I Starting To Get Cavities?
Dry mouth, which is called xerostomia, plays a huge role in having a risk of getting dental cavities.
Q. What causes Xerostomia?
-Aging can affect the salivary gland, which alters the quantity of saliva
-Medication side effects
-Not drinking enough water
-Sleeping with mouth open
-Dry hot weather
-Eating dry foods
Q. Why does Xerostomia cause risk to cavities?
When we lack sufficient saliva flow, one of the things that we lose is the capability of neutralizing the pH in our mouth. Our mouth likes to be neutral to slightly alkaline on the pH scale.
Q. What is pH?
pH is a scale used to specify the acidity (acid) or basicity (alkaline) in a substance.
Q. What pH Is a Healthy Mouth?
Our mouths like to be between 5.6 and 7.9
Q. Why Is Ph Important for My Oral Health?
Once pH is 5.5 or lower (very acidic), our teeth start to demineralize or soften, and we develop a risk for cavities.
Q. What are things that I can do to help neutralize pH in my mouth?
-Make sure you are removing plaque from your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly (dental plaque is a very acidic sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on your teeth).
-Stay well-hydrated. Pure water has a pH balance of 7, which is neutral.
-Limit sugar and alcohol, which create an acidic environment.
-Swish with pure water after you eat or drink anything.
-Brush with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda for 2 minutes as your before-bed brushing helps neutralize the pH in your mouth before you go to bed.
Call To Learn more
If you have further questions for our team about your oral health, please give us a call today at 503-661-6613 to speak with a member of our Smile Designers team or to schedule a visit with Dr. Anna Dneprov about your dental health in Gresham, Oregon. Your smile will thank you!