Why Do You Have Cavities When You Brush Your Teeth Every Day? This Is The Fact

Illustration of why you have cavities even though you have brushed your teeth (Pexels/Andrea Piacquadio)

JAKARTA – Apparently, brushing your teeth every day does not guarantee that your teeth are not cavities. Even though it's been done twice a day or even before going to bed brushing your teeth, but there are still blackened teeth and little by little porous forming holes.

According to doctor Thomas Moscinski, reported by the Dental Associate, Friday, November 5, the level of acidity in the mouth has a large effect on making teeth porous.

“All of our teeth are made up of minerals. Every time you eat or drink sugary or starchy foods, the bacteria in dental plaque produce acid. The acid eats away at the enamel or protective layer of teeth. And when the pH of the mouth becomes more acidic, the teeth start to lose their natural minerals,” explains dentist Moscinski, who works at Dental Associates Miller Park Way.

It takes about 30-60 minutes after eating or drinking for the pH of the mouth to return to normal. But what is overlooked, before that time we continue to eat snacks that contain high sugar or starch. So, the teeth will work hard to re-neutralize because acid continues to build up from dental plaque.

Moscinski gave an example, drinking a can of soda in 10 minutes is better than sipping it for 1 hour because the mouth will only be exposed to this acidic drink for a long time.

"The sooner your teeth can start the remineralization process, the better," says Moscinski.

Saliva can also help keep your teeth protected. It acts as a natural buffer from harmful particles and helps to remove them. After eating, saliva helps add calcium and phosphate back to the teeth. But unfortunately, brushing teeth after eating with toothpaste containing fluoride is rarely done.

Fluoride in toothpaste or in saliva can help make enamel stronger and more resistant to decay. So when is the right time to brush your teeth?

Brushing your teeth twice a day is certainly important. Especially after waking up, when plaque-causing bacteria multiply in the mouth. Brushing your teeth in the morning is also beneficial to include fluoride before your first meal.

If you are used to brushing your teeth after eating, give yourself 30 minutes after eating. Brushing your teeth immediately after eating has the potential to remove beneficial minerals in your saliva. Well, if you need to rinse your mouth after eating, or chew sugarless gum, it can help increase the flow of saliva so that it can do its job optimally to maintain healthy teeth.

Brushing your teeth before bed also needs to be done, its function is to limit prolonged exposure to acids during sleep. Generally, brushing your teeth twice a day is enough, but if you have the habit of brushing your teeth after eating, you can still do it as long as you give it a distance.