Plaque and cavities?

Message

#1 Post by ***hotslinthesun*** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:03 pm

I have a question. I tend to get alot of cavities, and have had them all my life (had 4 fillings when I was 3). A friend of mine has the same problem and her dentist told her that it was because her saliva is more acidic than normal and therefore causes more cavities, however that having acidic saliva causes less plaque.

So I was wondering, the people who have lots of cavities, do you find that you don't have very much plaque when you get a cleaning? And the people who have a lot of plaque, do you get fewer cavities?

My hygienist always tells me that I have very clean teeth and never has to do too much plaque removal. So I was thinking that this theory might make some sense...

#2 Post by **beanstix** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 2:36 am

Hi, I'm one of those people who gets plaque build-up quickly, due to the calcium/salt content of my saliva - apparently this content forms a barrier on top of bacteria quicker than the average saliva content and hey presto, plaque in less than 12 hours.

I'm 43 and all 4 of my first molars have small fillings - however these were filled many years ago, can't even remember when, as a teenager I think and I haven't had a filling for at least 20+ years. My teeth seem to be OK, it's my gums that need the attention with the plaque build-up.

#3 Post by **Lexy** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 4:13 am

My hygienist always comments on how clean my teeth are, and I personally don't notice a lot of plaque build up when I'm brushing but I've still had a ton of cavities. However... my teeth were very crowded before braces, and flossing/brushing was hard to do, so it could've been that I just wasn't able to clean my teeth properly. I haven't had a new cavity since getting braces.

Your theory does make sense, but I imagine there are other factors to consider as well.

#4 Post by **ricardo2** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 6:37 am

I got severe decay/erosion about 2 years ago, and needed fillings in every tooth.

Mine was discovered to be caused by acid reflux, plus the diuretic meds I'd started... (they basically get rid of water hence dry mouth/no saliva)

I don't seem to get plaque at all.... I clean OTT anyway, but I think cavities are always going to be a problem for me, despite my regime, as I still need the meds.

I just make sure I use all the Fluoride stuff & watch my diet! I'm still getting cavities though, despite this!!

Take care

LUCY xxx

#5 Post by **fyrelight** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:01 am

I've never had a cavity.... but my plaque isn't very bad either... Last time I went, my dentist told the hygenist I didn't need the scraping this time, just the polishing....

#6 Post by **cookie** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 7:06 am

I have no cavities and have no fillings at all in my teeth, but I tend to get plaque build up quite badly. Sounds like there's something to your theory!

#7 Post by **fyrelight** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:37 pm

The pH range is from 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. Anything above 7.0 is alkaline (basic), anything below 7.0 is considered acidic.

WATER is a 7.0.

The pH for saliva is 6.2 to 7.0. From the University of Western Australia:

The bacteria in dental plaque rely on the sugars in our diet for energy and to grow. When bacteria metabolise these dietary sugars, they produce plaque acids.

These acids etch and erode the enamel on our teeth, producing tooth decay. We can measure the amount of acid in our mouth by testing the pH of our saliva. Normal saliva has a pH level between 6.2-7.0. When plaque acid is present, the pH level drops. When it drops below 5.5, the plaque acids can decay enamel.

Chewing sugar free gum after eating will increase saliva flow and reduce the acid levels in the mouth faster.

#8 Post by **londonchick** » Wed Sep 21, 2005 2:46 am

have to agree that there is something to this theory.

I'm in the loads of plaque/ gum problems but no cavities camp.

Apparently this can be explained by the fact that the excess plaque is being caused by the calcium content of my saliva being very high, but as we all know calcium is good for the teeth right ?!?!?!?