Our mouth is home to many kinds of bacteria. Most of which are not harmful, however there are some that are associated with tooth decay. If this bacteria is present in higher amounts in a person, then they may be more prone to tooth decay.

Over time, repeated attacks of acids on our enamel cause it to break down, resulting in a hole on the tooth’s surface, which if left untreated, spreads much deeper into the tooth, resulting in cavities.

Also if the pH of your saliva is acidic, then the enamel of your teeth can become weak and they can begin to erode. You might also be more prone to cavities if you do not produce much saliva. Your saliva is your body’s natural way of helping to wash away the acidity.

Dentists recommend the use of sugar free chewing gums as an adjunct to oral care. Brushing and flossing twice daily can help decrease your chances of getting cavities and reducing your intake of sugar can significantly reduces dental cavities.

Dentists have to counsel patients about how to maintain good dental health and follow a systematic protocol of 6 monthly reminders for patients to come for regular dental checkups so that a cavity can be detected and treated at an incipient stage.

These oral care regimens must be performed religiously daily, in order to be entirely effective to reduce the levels of the plaque biofilms and their nutrient warehouses, which helps keep caries under control.