Many people wonder why they get cavities even if they brush their teeth twice a day. After all, dentists tell people to brush twice a day to prevent cavities. While brushing your teeth daily does help you prevent cavities, it might not help you prevent all cavities. Here is an explanation of why you might still get cavities even if you brush two times a day.

A Brief Explanation of How Cavities Form

Many foods and beverages contain sugar and starch, and these two ingredients are the worst things for your teeth. Sugar and starch leave bacteria on your teeth and produce acids that eat away at them. When you eat foods like this, you increase your chances of getting cavities. A cavity takes time to form, which is why brushing your teeth is vital. When you brush your teeth, you remove the bacteria from the foods you eat. As a result, you reduce the risks of developing cavities.

Your Brushing Habits Might Need Some Adjustments

By understanding how cavities form, you can learn why you still get them even though you brush your teeth regularly. You might also benefit from learning how to properly brush your teeth. If you do not use the proper methods for brushing your teeth, you might not be brushing thoroughly.

The first habit to have is brushing for two to three minutes. When you brush your teeth in the morning or before bed, how long does it take? If you do not spend enough time brushing, you might not be removing all the bacteria from your teeth. Secondly, do you use fluoride toothpaste? Fluoride toothpaste strengthens your teeth, so it is vital to make sure your toothpaste contains this ingredient.

Brushing Is Not Enough

The last thing to understand is that brushing your teeth might not be enough. In other words, you might need to add some habits to your daily schedule. One habit is flossing. Flossing removes the bacteria and plaque that your brushing habits cannot access. Secondly, using a mouth rinse helps kill bacteria that remain in your mouth even after brushing and flossing. Finally, you might want to develop a habit of rinsing your mouth with water five to ten minutes after eating. Doing this will help you remove food particles that would otherwise remain in your mouth until you brush your teeth.

For more information, contact a dental office. Getting cleanings is vital for keeping your teeth and gums healthy.