Are there any reasons i could suddenly have problems with tooth decay? i'm 38, and had never had a cavity until last year. since then, at every visit my dentist has found another one. i think i always take pretty good care of my teeth, and don't eat much

It : It is great to hear that you have such a healthy mouth! no cavities until 37.. Not many people can say that. Most probably you had very, very small cavities that were brewing, progressing very slowly, not catching the attention of your dentist. Now, a couple of them have gotten big enough to either show up visibly or on your radiographs. Are you grinding your teeth? You may have worn away some of the enamel, exposing the dentin which is softer and decays more easily. Are the cavities extemely small, or very large? They may be in the pits and fissures of the teeth, which are almost impossible to keep clean and will decay over time.

Any : Any change in your diet? A big problem today is diet sodas, the acid causes the problem not the sugar. Do you by any chance have dry mouth? Many medications cause this and it leads to decay.

There : There are quite a few reasons that may contribute to an increase in the number of cavities. You may first examine your diet. Besides foods that contain sugar, also consider foods and beverages that are highly acidic. These may also contribute to decay. Another reason may actually be related to your health. Are you taking any new medications? Many medications dry out your mouth and reduce salivary flow. Thus, indirectly increasing the incidence of cavities. You also may have just have deep grooves on the biting surface of your teeth that were prone to eventual cavities.

How : How long have you been going to this dentist? If you doubt his or her recommendation- get a second opinion. It is not likely that you would be developing a new problem with dental caries, unless something else has changed in your health.

Humm..: Try a different dentist for a second opinion. Be sure to tell this dentist your concerns and see if your experience is any different. It might be that your teeth have had incipient decay for years in areas (cavities that are too small to treat) and now that you are older are getting larger; or it might be that your dentist is more aggressive in his treatment philosophy than others.

I got 1st at 34: As we age, our diets change, we move and have new source of water, most without fluoride. Soda is the number 1 cause of tooth decay, in my opinion, along with poor home care. Even with perfect home care, soda will alter your saliva and cause the decalcification of teeth. This will make them much more susceptible to decay. We all need Fluoride to make our teeth more resistant to acid erosion.