​Cavities: Myths vs Facts

Cavities are a common dental problem that impact children and adults alike. Other than brushing your teeth regularly and maintaining a healthy diet, the best way to avoid cavities is to understand what causes them. There are various myths that surround their formation and treatment, but with a deeper understanding of what is true and what is not, you can prevent cavities for yourself and your family.

The Truth: What Causes Cavities

Cavity formation begins when bacteria damages the outer, hard surface of your teeth. As we consume food and beverages, naturally-occurring bacteria in our mouth feeds off of the sugar and produces acid. When this acid is left on the surface of our teeth, it begins to wear down the hard outer surface of our enamel and causes small holes to form – cavities. Without proper treatment, these acids can continue to eat their way through the tooth and can lead to sensitivity and tooth decay.

10 Common Myths About Cavities

• Sugar is the Main Cause of Cavities: The reason that this is considered a myth is because it is usually targeted at the sugar you find in a candy bar, ice cream, or other “junk foods.” Yes, sugar can cause cavities. However, sugar can be found in a variety of different food and beverages – even ones that are considered “healthy” for us. The fact is that cavity formation begins as the enzymes in our mouth react to the sugars in what we consume. The main cause of cavities is not from the sugar, but rather the improper and/or inconsistent dental care.
• Children Get More Cavities Than Adults: Cavity formation is not biased towards an age group. It is a process that kids and adults, alike, experience. Some children and adults can be cavity prone, based on genetics, diet, or oral hygiene. Teeth are susceptible to cavity formation at any point – “from the time the first tooth erupts to the time that the last tooth falls out.”
• Cavities Cause Bad Breath: Cavities, like bad breath, are symptoms of an underlying problem – tooth decay. As the acids and bacteria are breaking down the enamel on your teeth, causing cavities, they are also combining with other particles in your mouth and breaking those down as well. The “decay” of your enamel and other substances in your mouth is what leads to bad breath – not the cavity itself.
• Fruit Causes Cavities: This is a myth because it is not the fruit that causes or increases the likelihood of cavities; it is the combined effort of the acids in most fruits and poor dental care. Remember, the acids that form from food particles, saliva, and other bacteria begins to wear down the enamel of our teeth. Maintaining quality dental hygiene can prevent this wear.
• Babies Cannot Get Cavities: Although babies’ teeth are considered temporary, the tooth itself is made up of the same compounds as an adult tooth. This means that they are just as susceptible to cavities as older children and adults.
• Sugar-Free Gum Prevents Cavities: Although there are more benefits to chewing sugar-free gum than chewing non-sugar-free gum, it is not a replacement for proper oral care. Sugar-free gum contains Xylitol (a natural sweetener) that helps prevent acid from sticking to the teeth, but it does not, and will not, ever fully protect a tooth from developing a cavity.
• Cavities Make Your Teeth Fall Out: Similar to a few of the myths above, cavities are not the cause of a tooth falling out, but it can be a symptom of tooth decay. Cavities begin as small holes in the enamel of the tooth. If acid continues to wear down the area, the result can be gum disease which weakens the support of the gum surrounding your teeth which can increase the likelihood of losing a tooth.
• Cavities Are Contagious: Although bacteria that contributes to cavity formation can be transmitted, the cavity itself is not contagious. The best way to ensure the strength of your teeth is to maintain your own oral care.
• Cavities Can Heal On Their Own: Some researchers do believe that you can “reverse” cavity formation if the symptoms are caught early enough. However, enamel does not re-grow and once the damage has occurred – it’s irreversible (at least for now).
• Cavity Fillings Do Not Last: This myth is somewhat factual. Fillings are designed to last quite awhile, but if they are not properly cared for they can deteriorate from clenching, grinding, or continuous exposure to acids and bacteria.

Treating yourself to proper and consistent oral care is the best method to avoid cavities and tooth decay. This includes, but is not limited to, brushing at least twice a day, flossing at least once, and regularly rinsing your mouth with an antibacterial mouthwash. Understanding the causes (and myths) of cavity formation is one of the best remedies for preventing them.