Why Are College Students Cavity Prone?

By Dr. Jay McCarl, Dr. Clayton McCarl, and Dr. David McCarl

College is a time for new experiences, new friends, and unfortunately new cavities.

A diet high in sugar combined with changes in personal hygiene cause tooth decay and a dramatic increase in dental cavities during college years.

Today's hectic college lifestyle is filled with fast food, sugar-packed coffees and soft drinks. Even diet sodas increase the likelihood of cavities because bacteria thrive in an acidic environment. Sugar-loving bacteria that are normally present in and around the teeth produce byproducts, which cause breakdown of tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay and dental cavities.

Symptoms of cavities and tooth decay vary depending on the location and depth. Initially, cavities may not cause symptoms. As tooth decay progresses, it may cause tooth sensitivity or a toothache. A toothache can cause varying degrees of pain when you bite down or when you eat or drink something sweet, hot, or cold. There may be visible holes or pits in your teeth, which can also cause discomfort or pain in your mouth or jaw. A dental cavity will not get better on its own. If you're experiencing one or more cavity symptoms, it's time to see a dentist.

When you have a dental cavity, your dentist will remove the bacteria and decay and fill the cavity to restore strength to the tooth. In deep cavities, the nerve of the tooth may also be infected. This requires additional cleaning of the infected nerve called a “root canal.” Luckily, this only occurs in the deepest of cavities. Usually there are warning signs, such as sensitivity to extreme temperatures and to sweet foods.

“Pit and fissure” cavities are the most common type of cavities. Back teeth or molars have natural grooves, fissures and pits on their chewing surface. Toothbrush bristles cannot reach inside deep pits, grooves, or fissures, which allows plaque and tartar to accumulate. During college years, flossing is often ignored, leading to tooth decay and cavities in between the teeth. Because of their location, cavities between the teeth or “interproximal” cavities are frequently only seen with an x-ray.

Preventing Dental Cavities

The first step in preventing cavities is to maintain good oral hygiene to minimize bacterial colonization. This includes brushing at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily. It is also important to eat well-balanced, nutritious meals with limited snacking. The use of a fluoride rinse also helps strengthen tooth enamel.

Although college schedules are busy, it is very important to maintain regularly scheduled dental visits for teeth cleaning and fluoride treatment. Dental exams improve the likelihood of early detection of cavities and treatment with a small rather than large filling.