When It Comes to Decay, All Teeth Are Not Created Equal

Ever wonder why most of your dental work has been done on the teeth in the back of your mouth?

That’s because these teeth, molars that are primarily involved in chewing food, are much more likely to form decay than the teeth in the front of your mouth. When you think about it, it makes perfect sense.

Because you do the vast majority of chewing with your molars, it’s no wonder that food gets trapped in the pits and fissures of these teeth. Even for people with very good dental hygiene habits, it’s often difficult to get out every last bit of food from your molars.

It’s this leftover food that can eventually cause tooth decay which, of course, is why the majority of our dental work is done to the teeth in the back of our mouths.

While this is true for adults, it’s not the case for small children. In fact, just the opposite is true.

For very young kids – those who are still being bottle-fed – tooth decay is much more common in the front teeth. That’s because those are the teeth exposed to milk and sugary drinks left in the bottle for long periods of time when the baby falls asleep with a bottle in his or her mouth. And since babies aren’t chewing solid food with molars in the backs of their mouth, it only makes sense that their front teeth would be more vulnerable to decay.

Fortunately, brushing and flossing twice a day, along with regular trips to the dentist, can help reduce your chances of cavities and gum disease. If you have young children, gently brushing their teeth with a soft-bristled wet toothbrush after feeding will reduce their chances of cavities in exposed front teeth.

Source: http://health.howstuffworks.com/wellness/oral-care/problems/why-do-some-teeth-decay-more-quickly.htm