20 things you didn't know about tooth decay | Better Homes & Gardens (2024)

As one of the most common – and feared – dental problems, tooth decay is surrounded by myths and fallacies. Here, DentaVox finds out exactly what we think we know about cavities – and sorts the scientific facts from the fiction.

1. If my teeth don’t hurt, they’re fine:MYTH

An alarming amount of respondents in DentaVox’s survey (54.1 per cent) believe that lack of pain means lack of dental problems. The trend is less pronounced for women as 35.8 per cent of them agree with this statement. In fact,by the time a tooth hurts, it’s gone way too far.There is a high chance that the nerve has already been affected as well. That’s why regular check-ups are of the essence. Don’t forget to visit them twice a year – your dentist can identifycavitiesin a very early stage and save you cost and pain.

2. If I have a cavity, I will see it:MYTH

43.1 per cent of respondents believe this. The truth is that sometimes you will know, butat that point, it has usually spread to larger proportions than it would have if it had been found at a routine dental screening. With timely checkups, your dentist can find a cavity before it’s clearly visible and/or causes pain.

3. If my teeth are sensitive to hot and cold, I have a cavity:SO–SO

The majority of respondents (53.1 per cent) agree with this statement. While a cavity can cause some sensitivity,it might not be the main reason your teeth hurt.Tooth sensitivity might be caused by various factors such as receding gums, thinning of your tooth enamel, or even a sinus infection. Your dentist is the best person to determine the cause.

4. You can preventcavities:FACT

93.4 per cent of respondents nodded in agreement. Brushing teeth regularly, flossing, going to dentist check-ups, quitting smoking, cutting back on sugary and acidic foods and drinks are amongthe best preventive measuresyou can implement into your routine. The earlier, the better.

5. Brushing and flossing are sufficient to fight decay:MYTH

According to 59.4 per cent of all participants in the survey, it’s enough to brush and floss your teeth in order to fight tooth decay. In fact,brushing and flossing alone do not kill the bacteria that are the real cause of decay. Dental caries is a very complex biofilm infection and currently there are 23 strains of bacteria in biofilms that produce cavity-causing acids.

6. Fluoride is the answer to stopping decay:SO–SO

This is one of the most controversial topics: Is fluoride a friend or a foe to our oral and general health? 43.4 per cent of respondents claim that fluoride might be the answer to fightcavities. The fact: whilesome studies say fluoride can help manage decayby making teeth more resistant to the action of bacterial and acids in food,it is not the sole answer.

7. Sugar causescavities: SO–SO

The wisdom of the crowd is clear: 84.7 per cent of survey participants agree with this statement. But what would dental professionals say? The actual answer is not so straightforward. Yes, consuming sugary foods and drinks can lead tocavities, butsugar itself is not so guilty.

The sugars/ carbs in foods like bread, beans, fruits, etc. act with bacteria in your mouth to form acids that can eat away at healthy minerals in your teeth. How does it happen? If you don’t brush, floss, and rinse regularly, plaque forms on your teeth. As you eat more things with carbs, the plaque turns to acid. Tiny holes or pits are formed and the cavity-causing bacteria can easily get inside. At this point of time, all the brushing, flossing, and rinsing can’t help anymore.

8. Sugar-free drinks don’t causecavities:MYTH

Despite everything explained above, it comes as no surprise that 40.3 per cent of respondents claim this statement is true. The misconception that sugar-free soda or co*ke will not damage teeth has been very popular for decades.Despite containing less or no sugar, sugar-free drinks are often filled with phosphoric, citric acid and tartaric acid. And that’s exactly the problem. While most people know that drinking sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay, fewer are aware that dental erosion that occurs when teeth are exposed to acid is actually the main cause ofcavities.

9. Pasta and bread can causecavities:FACT

A large share of survey participants seem to be uninformed about the authenticity of this statement, as 37.5 per cent prefer to neither agree, nor disagree. The majority, however, still confirm it. Andthat’s, in fact, the truth. Bread, pasta, and pizza dough are all made with flour (in most cases a plain white flour which is low in fibre and virtually void of nutrition) that has simple carbs which quickly turns into: 1) sugar, and then 2) acid. Moreover, starchy foods can stick to your teeth, which is very harmful if you want to avoid bacteria in your mouth.

10. Dairy products aren’t important for my teeth:MYTH

The majority of DentaVox respondents (54.2 per cent) disagree with this statement and claim the importance of cheese, milk, and yogurt consumption for healthy teeth. In fact,the calcium in cheese, and the calcium and phosphates in milk and other dairy products help replace mineralsyour teeth might have lost due to other foods and also help rebuild tooth enamel.

11. Untreatedcavitieslead to a root canal treatment:FACT

Almost 80 per cent of all survey participants are aware of the risks from untreated tooth decay.
A timely treatment can indeed save costs and pain. Once your tooth is invaded by the cavity-causing bacteria, the decay will get into the nerve of the tooth if not treated and eventually, will cause the nerve to die. Then you’ll be left with the choiceto save or lose a tooth. The choice between a root canal treatment and extraction is not very appealing, so be sure you let your dentist find issues in an earlier state.

12. Cavitiesare contagious:FACT

43.2 per cent of people surveyed disagree with this statement. Studies, however, show thatbabies are not born with the bacteria that causecavitiesbut are infected most often by their parents or caregivers(often referred to as “vertical transmission”). This happens when a baby is kissed, milk or other foods are tested for temperature, and pacifiers are “cleaned” in the parents’ mouth.

13. I getcavitiesbecause I have a soft or weak enamel:MYTH

Our survey statistics show that 44.7 per cent of respondents are convinced that their soft or weak enamel is the reason for havingcavities. The acid produced by bacteria is no joke. It is scientifically proven that when the pH in the mouth drops below 5.5 demineralization of enamel takes place. So if you are prone tocavities, that’s not because your enamel is by default softer than someone else’s.You just have risk factors that are keeping your mouth too acidic.

14. Low pH level can causecavities:FACT

If you take any fact from this article, let it be this one:Low pH levels is the main reason for havingcavities. Said simply, if you eat more acidic foods and don’t brush, floss, rinse regularly, you are prone tocavities. Most of the DentaVox survey participants seem to be unaware of this fact, as 47.4 per cent neither agree, nor disagree with this fact. More people (42.9 per cent), however, confirm they are familiar with the importance of pH level for good oral health.

15. Acidic foods can’t causecavities:MYTH

Whereas more people – 38.7 per cent – seem aware of the fact that acidic foods actually causecavities, 36 per cent of respondents still claim the opposite. Grains, citruses, tomatoes, carbonated drinks, coffee, alcohol, fish, processed foods, etc. are all acidic foods and are linked to the formation of tooth decay. Moreover, don’t forget that sugary foods also “get along” with the cavity-causing bacteria and lead to the same process.

16. Teeth gaps causecavities:SO–SO

47.4 per cent of people surveyed agreed that this statement is true. Well,we can’t easily stamp it as a myth or fact. Bigger gaps between teeth are usually easier to keep clean and thus, as long as they are free of bacteria, wide spaces must be less prone to decay. Pay attention to small gaps, though, as food may get stuck there and lead tocavitiesif not properly cleaned out.

17. Cracked and chipped teeth lead tocavities:FACT

The vast majority (70.9 per cent) categorically agrees. And the fact is thatcracks and chips create a home for bacteriawhere your toothbrush won’t reach – the perfect conditions for toothcavities. So don’t forget to use mouthwash in order to clean such hidden spots.

18. Children’s milk teeth can’t getcavities:MYTH

This popular misconception is busted by most of the survey participants, as 37.7 per cent claim it’s not true. Any enamel, especially in young children, is prone to decay. To protect their teeth, it’s important to limit sugary drinks and snacks and help them develop a healthy oral hygiene routine from a very young age. Professionals advise that brushing should be started by parents immediately after the first teeth appear.

19. Children get morecavitiesthan adults:MYTH

More respondents – 45.7 per cent – say that kids are more prone to tooth decay than adults.Kimberly A. Harms, DDS, an American Dental Association spokeswoman, sharesthat “Thanks to fluoride in tap water,we’ve actually cut decay in school-aged children by half in the last 20 years”. She states, though, thatcavitiesin adults are on the rise because of medicines that dry out the mouth and reduce saliva which protects your teeth.

20. Chewing an aspirin tablet will relieve a toothache:MYTH

38.4 per cent of the survey participants have apparently tested this self-treatment method, or at least have been convinced in its authenticity by external sources. In fact, aspirin is an acidic substance, andplacing it directly in contact with your gums can burn the tissues and cause an abscess. You’ll have a better chance to relieve the pain by swallowing the aspirin. Think twice before testing any home remedies and consult with a dental professional in order to spare yourself future problems.

Stats source: DentaVox,20 Questions:Cavities

Is Kombucha bad for your teeth? Watch this for the answer

You might also like:

Whitening your teeth may be doing more bad than good

How often should you change your tooth brush?

Is an electric toothbrush really better for your teeth?