Dental caries, which are essentially "cavities," is a serious form of decay that can damage the structure and integrity of your teeth. In some cases, it can be so severe that a filling will not be able to save the tooth, and it must be entirely extracted in order to save the other teeth from becoming affected as well.

Getting dental caries can be due to a number of various factors. While many understand that poor dental hygiene can be the main factor of getting dental caries, this is not the only reason why someone could experience such problems with their teeth. In fact, there are individuals that strictly follow their dentist's instructions on avoiding cavities and tooth decay that still suffer from dental caries.

First off, poor dental hygiene is a reason why someone may develop dental caries, but is not the ONLY reason someone might experience them. A poor diet, one that is high in sugar and acidic foods, can cause someone to be at a higher risk for dental caries because it changes the pH levels of their saliva. Saliva tests done during a CAMBRA (Caries Management by Risk Assessment) evaluation can determine if a patient has high pH levels which can increase their likelihood of developing dental caries. Also, a lack of saliva could be a reason for dental caries increasing, such as dry mouth, otherwise known as "xerostomia." Other reasons include medications that can change your saliva pH levels, and an increase in certain bacterias such as streptococcus mutans and lactobacillus.

With one visit to Dr. Cruz, you will be able to undergo a CAMBRA evaluation and find out if you are at a higher risk for dental caries than others. One call and one appointment can help determine the health of your teeth and the future of your dental hygiene!

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