Hi viewers and Welcome Back to another Bestie video! Now Imagine this, You have a beautiful
smile that everyone envies because you’ve never had a cavity. However, one day while
going about your daily routine, you experience an unfamiliar pain in one of your back teeth.
You decide to get a dental check-up and “Oh no!” Your dentist, who has commended you for years on
excellent healthy teeth, informs you that you have a new cavity. All you can think is,
“What happened?” “How did I get this cavity all of a sudden?” Believe it or not, cavities can sneak
up on us. And in today’s video, we will tell why, from nail biting, chewing on objects, consistent
snacking, smoking to brushing too hard and more, watch till the end to learn about all of them.
Eating Excessive Junk Food: Most of you are aware of the health related
side effects of eating excessive junk food containing high levels of calories,
sugars and fats. But it’s a double whammy when you consider the damage it can do to your teeth.
The acids in junk food gradually strip away tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities and
tooth decay. You should instead go for some healthy snacking alternatives that are far
better for your oral health like pistachios, pita chips with hummus and baked sweet potato fries.
What’s your favourite junk food? Tell us quickly in the comments section below!
Nail biting: Probably the toughest habit to kick is nail biting. While nail biting can
seem innocent enough, regular nail biting can be incredibly harmful to your teeth. Continuous
nail biting can cause chipped teeth, jaw dysfunction and ruin your healthy smile.
Using bitter tasting nail polish can help break this bad habit. But,
sometimes, nail biters still continue biting in stressful situations. Meditation, setting small,
attainable goals and asking for help when needed can help you quit this bad habit.
If you’re a typically antsy person, keep your fingers busy another way
and eliminate the urge to bite. Try picking up a hobby that requires the use of your hands,
such as knitting or crocheting, building model airplanes, and so on.
Coffee: A morning cup of coffee may help you start the day. Unfortunately,
caffeine can slow saliva production, potentially causing dry mouth which may lead to tooth decay.
One study found this effect to be significant, but modest, in healthy individuals.
Also, adding sugar to your brew increases the risk of tooth decay. To counteract
the effect of a dry mouth from caffeine, drink water regularly throughout the day.
Brushing Right After Eating: When you eat acidic foods like soft drinks,
citrus fruit or red wine, you might go straight to the toothbrush to get rid of that acid.
Brushing right after eating or drinking can push the acid deeper into your teeth, causing even
more damage. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and wait 30 minutes before brushing.
Grinding Your Teeth: Many people subconsciously grind their teeth, especially while sleeping.
This condition is known as bruxism, a condition caused by either stress or
sleep-disordered breathing, such as sleep apnea. Over time, this habit can result in jaw pain,
headaches, premature wear and tear of the teeth, and a misaligned jaw.
Additionally, grinding your teeth can lead to fractured or chipped teeth,
requiring new crowns or dental implants. If left untreated,
it can cause joint and muscle dysfunction and chronic facial pain.
Binge Eating: Binge eating is never good for your health. It can lead to various problems,
including obesity, eating disorders, and poor dental
health. The primary dental concerns with binge eating is the unhealthy foods. Harmful bacteria
can feed off leftover food particles and sugars between teeth. When bacteria feed on sugar, they
produce acids that weaken the enamel, damaging your teeth and gums leading to decay and cavity.
Binge eating frequently occurs outside of our regular meal times, often late in the evening
or at night. This may result in you going to sleep with unbrushed teeth. Make sure to brush
your teeth within 30 minutes to an hour of eating to prevent cavities and tooth decay.
Chewing On Objects: One of the most common habits among many people is chewing on pencils and pens.
Many people develop this habit early in childhood, and some do not even realize they are doing it.
Biting on pencils and pens can chip and crack teeth, which can lead to cavities
and possible tooth loss if the damage is severe. Carrying sugar free gum may help you break this
tooth-damaging habit and will help increase saliva production, which removes cavity causing bacteria.
Brushing too Hard: Generally, brushing is a good habit to get into. But using too much force when
brushing, with too hard of a toothbrush, can begin to wear away the protective enamel on your teeth.
Dentists estimate that between 10 to 20 percent of the population have damaged their teeth or
gums as a result of over brushing. Signs of brushing too hard might include receding gums,
worn spots on teeth, or cavities at the base or root of a tooth.
Consistent Snacking: Eating three fuller meals is healthier than consistent snacking
throughout the day. Constantly eating increases your risk for
cavities as this means food particles will essentially always be present in your mouth.
These particles can alter the natural pH of the mouth, increasing your risk for cavities.
Try to cut back on the snacking and instead try to provide well balanced meals for yourself,
cutting out the sugary drinks and foods as much as possible. Remember,
bad oral bacteria feeds off of your sugary food leftovers.
You Have Dry Mouth: Saliva contains essential substances that are necessary for your body
to digest food and maintain healthy and strong teeth. Saliva provides proteins
and minerals that protect tooth enamel and decreases the likelihood of tooth decay.
However, life is filled with activities that may cause dry mouth,
such as strenuous exercise. When there is a decline of saliva in your mouth,
your teeth are at high risk for sudden decay and cavities.
You Don’t Brush Your Teeth Daily: This reason is obvious. From the time you were little,
your parents and dentists have always told you to brush your teeth at least twice daily.
Surprisingly, some people don't adhere to this important advice.
In fact, one in four adults admit to not brushing twice a day, which includes one third of men.
Not only that, but brushing only once daily means
you are 33 percent more susceptible to developing tooth decay and cavities.
Alcohol: Drinking a glass of wine or beer in the evening might seem like a good way to
wind down after a long day, but think about the affects on your teeth. Red wine is full
of tannins which can stain your teeth. Beer is high in acidity which can wear down the enamel.
Drinking alcohol can also dehydrate your body and cause dry mouth. As we said earlier, dry mouth can
lead to cavities. If you’re going to have an alcoholic beverage, be kind to your mouth and
sip on water while you’re enjoying your drink and rinse it out well after you finish your beverage.
Smoking: It is well known that smoking and tobacco use can cause many different medical problems.
Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body,
and over 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking.
However, most people don’t realize the harm that smoking and oral tobacco use pose to your mouth,
gums and teeth. Smoking can do a lot more than just stain your teeth – this unhealthy
habit can also lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer.
Taking Cough Drops: Cough drops can be incredibly soothing when you’ve got a cold. However,
the problem with them is that they’re basically the equivalent of eating hard candy. They can be
especially problematic because they often sit in your mouth for an extended period of time,
and it’s that prolonged exposure that can destroy your enamel.
Try some other ways to treat a cough without using cough drops. Some options
include drinking warm liquids such as tea and taking antihistamines. Or if
you have a sore throat along with it, try gargling with salt water.
Soda: High sugar plus high acidity makes a bad dental combo. Frequent
soda drinking will bathe your teeth in sugar and can lead to dental decay. Additionally,
increased acid exposure works to erode tooth enamel and can lead to tooth sensitivity.
If you still want to drink soda, here are some ways to reduce your use. Cut back on
the soda you drink every day. Opt for water, the healthier thirst-quencher. Minimize enamel erosion
by rinsing with water after your teeth have been exposed to acidic beverages. Try sipping acidic
drinks through a straw to avoid contact with your teeth. Finally, wait at least 30 minutes before
brushing with a soft toothbrush after acid exposure to avoid further enamel breakdown.
Not just your teeth, but drinking soda regularly can have a devastating effect
on your health. To know how harmful it is for your body,
watch this video titled “What Happens If You Drink Soda Everyday”.
Now back to Reasons you might be getting cavity.
Gummy Sweets: Yes, you already know that sugar causes cavities. But some sugary foods are worse
than others. Candy that sticks to the teeth can get stuck between the crevices of a tooth,
and saliva can't wash it away. And it isn't just candy—natural snacks like raisins and
other dried fruits carry the same dental risks. Avoid gummy candies like gummy bears,
caramels, dried fruits, jelly beans, and other sticky sweets.
Most of these candies can be found in sugar-free varieties.
Choose these instead for healthier teeth. If you still want to eat these sticky sweets,
then follow up 30 minutes later with a good tooth brushing and flossing.
Would you rather have bad teeth than give up on your favourite
candy? Let us know in the comments section below!