Newmarket Dentist – Keep28 Dental Centre – Cavities and Holiday Snacking
Cavities do not occur quickly, they take time to develop. A week or two of over indulgence due to festivities will not cause cavities by itself (although they can have an immediate effect on the waistline!). Cavities develop over time and can take over a year to develop to the point of needing treatment. Cavities are caused by bacteria that live in your mouth, they eat the sugar and produce a product of acid (bacteria poop!). It is the acid that the bacteria produce that causes a hole to form in your tooth. Bacteria will break down all foods that are left on the teeth but their favourite food is sugar. That is why good brushing and flossing is important, it keeps the teeth and gums clean and reduces the amount of food these bacteria have to form cavities (also helps with bad breath!).
So, if you are going to overindulge on the holidays, it would make good sense to spend a little more time brushing and flossing. Also, remember that cavities do not usually give you pain until they are very large at which point they can often require a root canal! Nobody wants that for Christmas! So, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year and make a resolution to visit your dentist next year on a regular basis!! We are always accepting new patients, so give us a call in the New Year!