If your dentist finds a cavity in your mouth during every six-month dental visit, then you have a high cavity risk. This means that cavities will continue to develop within the teeth over time. There are quite a few things that can contribute to your cavity risk. Keep reading to learn what they are and how you can minimize these risks. 

What Are Your Cavity Risks?

Your genetics play a huge role in whether or not you will develop cavities in the teeth. So, if one or both of your parents have had a number of cavities, then this may be why you also have them. Typically, this means that the enamel is relatively soft and easily deteriorated by bacteria. And, over time, the teeth may begin to chip and crack as well.

Your cavity risk is also elevated if your teeth are closely set next to one another. If your teeth overlap one another or are squeezed tightly together, then there is no space to clean and get rid of plaque. 

Your diet plays a role in whether or not you will develop cavities. Specifically, if your diet is high in simple carbohydrates, sugary drinks, and sweet snacks, then tooth decay is more likely to pop up. These foods provide oral bacteria with a great deal of fuel, and they thrive in the mouth.

How Can You Reduce These Risks?

The best way to reduce cavity risks is to make sure that your mouth is clean. This helps to minimize the number of bacteria that live in your mouth and it reduces the food source for the bacteria that remain. Good oral cleaning means using a variety of tools to get rid of food and plaque. Make sure that a toothbrush, floss, and mouthwash are all used in conjunction with one another in the morning and at night.

If your teeth are close together or crooked, then it may be hard to clean between them. In this case, you want to work with your dentist to come up with an oral care plan. This may include using a water flosser to better get in between the teeth or scheduling in-office cleanings three to four times a year. 

When it comes to your diet, think about minimizing your intake of sugar and carbohydrates. Skip the soda and choose water inside. Also, increase the number of raw vegetables you eat as these do help to scrape lose the plaque that can accumulate in the mouth. 

For more information on reducing the risk of a cavity, talk to your local dental care expert.