A Brush with Decay: Why You Don't Have Cavities Despite not Brushing Your Teeth
Posted on: 11 September 2017
It is important to brush your teeth twice a day because although you may not see it, there is a lot going on in your mouth that you aren't aware of. If you, like one in three South Australians, don't brush your teeth morning and night, you are putting your oral health at risk. However, some people rarely ever brush their teeth but don't seem to get cavities.
Why is this? Why do some people with seemingly poor oral hygiene manage to avoid cavities?
You Might not Have Tooth Cavity-Causing Bacteria
This might sound crazy but if you don't have the right strains of bacteria present in your mouth, cavities; at least those caused by bacteria, cannot occur. Studies have shown that the average human mouth contains both beneficial bacteria and harmful bacteria. The worst of this cavity-causing kind is known as streptococcus mutans. But a small minority of people don't have this kind of bacteria.
The truth is, they were probably never given them. Believe it or not but babies are born without cavity-causing bacteria. However, if the bacteria is present in the mouths of their parents, it can be passed onto them through kisses or the sharing of food items. So, if you don't get cavities despite the fact that you also don't brush your teeth, you may not have ever received cavity-causing bacteria from your parents.
But be warned, you may not have them now, but all it takes is a kiss from someone that does, and your lack of brushing will come back to haunt you.
Your Enamel May be Extra Thick
Teeth, like hair, eye-colour, and height for example, run in the family. If one of either your parents or grandparents were known to have strong teeth then, they probably passed it onto you. Some people have thin enamel and so are prone to cavities even if they brush regularly, while others inherited thick enamel. The thicker your enamel, the longer it takes a cavity to form.
Your Eating Habits Play a Part
If you don't eat sugary foods, drink soda, or snack often between meals, this could also be the cause of your lack of cavities.
You May not Always be So Lucky
Unless you have been extremely lucky and do not have cavity-causing bacteria, the chances are good that you will eventually pay for your lack of oral hygiene. Over time, the bio-film known as plaque that builds up on your teeth begins to harden into tartar. In general, it takes about 10 days for this transformation to occur. Tartar is an often yellow, chalky substance that builds up around your teeth. This tartar contains millions of bacteria, each of which packs enough acid to dissolve the enamel of your teeth.
The acid doesn't just harm the enamel of your teeth, it also harms your gums and the periodontal ligaments that hold your teeth in place. By not brushing then, you risk gum disease, which causes your gums to bleed, bone to deteriorate, and teeth to loosen, and cavities. It is only a matter of time.
No matter how lucky you have been up to this point, you should never take your teeth for granted. Unlike bone, they cannot heal once broken or decayed. Start brushing today, or risk having to pay for dentures or dental implants to replace your lost teeth in future
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