5 Unusual (But Common) Reasons for Tooth Decay and Erosion

All human milk teeth fall out individually between ages 6 and 12. They gradually make way for permanent teeth designed to last a lifetime. According to the Columbia University Irving Medical Center, teeth may outlast other body parts, but they’re not indestructible. 

As people age, tooth loss becomes common due to bone erosion, fractures, and extensive caries. The fantastic news is that aging does not contribute to tooth loss. If teeth are cared for, they can easily last for life. 

Sadly, oral issues are becoming increasingly prevalent. The World Health Organization’s 2022 Global Oral Health Status Report states that 3.5 billion people worldwide suffer from oral diseases, including cavities and enamel erosion. 

While a poor diet and insufficient oral hygiene could be the top contributing factors, others are not so well known (yet common). In this article, we will discuss five such causes of tooth decay.

Smoking

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, nearly 28.3 million American adults smoke regularly. Smoking is one of the leading causes of tooth decay, even though it is rarely considered. 

In other words, people may look at smoking as harmful from the perspective of lung health, but they seldom pay attention to oral risks. Smoking tends to increase the amount of dental plaque, leading to enamel erosion. It is not uncommon to find chain smokers’ teeth having holes and periodontal disease. 

This is also why smokers tend to be at risk of developing oral cancer, stained teeth, and gum health deterioration.

Medication

This is another cause of tooth decay that often goes unnoticed. Several different medicines may lead to tooth decay. These include antidepressants, antibiotics, and antihistamines, among others. One prime example, which even has active litigation attached to it, is that of Suboxone.

It is available in the form of an oral film or tablets to be placed beneath the tongue, used to treat opioid dependence disorder. The European Medicines Agency states that Suboxone is usually administered to those above the age of 15 years.

Though effective in reducing opioid dependency, plaintiffs of the Suboxone lawsuit have alleged that the drug causes oral health problems. This is due to the highly acidic nature of Suboxone tablets or film.

According to TruLaw, injuries from regular Suboxone usage include weakened tooth enamel, erosion, cavities and tooth loss, gum injuries, etc., that require costly remediations. While the tooth decay associated with Suboxone is often severe, it may be mild in cases of antidepressants like Olanzapine. 

Biting Fingernails

This cause of tooth decay may seem completely strange to many. UCLA Health states that an estimated 30% of the population has the habit of biting fingernails. 

It is a bad habit because it weakens the tooth’s enamel. As the enamel chips away, cavities or holes form. The mouth is left susceptible to bacteria from the hands and fingernails. 

This bacteria is acidic for the teeth, causing severe tooth decay in some cases. It is important to remember that tooth loss due to biting fingernails happens only in extreme cases. 

Dry Mouth

How can a mouth devoid of sufficient saliva possibly lead to tooth decay? This is why dry mouth is perhaps the least-known cause of cavities and enamel erosion. The lack of adequate saliva leads to bacteria build-up inside the mouth. 

Saliva’s primary job is eliminating food debris in and around the teeth. Without enough saliva, this process does not take place properly. The stuck food particles interact with acid, thereby forming plaque. As the plaque continues to grow, it leads to tooth decay. 

Wine

Who doesn’t love some finely aged delicious wine? Be it white or red, wine is highly acidic. The older the wine, the finer and more acidic it is. Over time, this acidity proves to be destructive for tooth enamel. 

Don’t worry; enjoying wine once in a while will not cause any harm. However, regular wine drinkers often suffer from severe cavities and discoloration of teeth. The best prevention is to drink wine sparingly and brush your teeth immediately after consumption.

Given the uncommon reasons mentioned above, preventing tooth decay may or may not be entirely possible. For instance, chewing sugarless gum may help with dry mouth, but the extent to which it is used is largely uncertain. 

However, some ways to prevent tooth decay include eating healthy, maintaining proper oral hygiene, consciously stopping the habit of biting fingernails, avoiding too much soda and caffeine, and looking for alternative medicines if possible.