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Dentist explains why some people hardly brush their teeth and have no cavities, while others suffer even with good hygiene: genetics, saliva pH, acidic mouth, tartar, and sensitivity help to understand the differences and risks to oral health.

Written by Carla Teles
Published on 27/04/2026 at 12:34
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Dentist details how genetics, saliva, acid mouth, tartar, sensitivity, and cavity risk help explain differences in oral health even with similar hygiene.

The dentist draws attention to a very common and surprising question in daily life: why do some people seem to have an easy time developing cavities even while maintaining good hygiene, while others hardly brush their teeth and still do not have the problem? According to the explanation presented, this difference exists and may be linked to factors such as genetics, saliva quality, and individual characteristics of the mouth.

The topic sparks interest because it touches on a very common perception among families and patients in the office. In some cases, two people with very different habits show opposite results. One brushes their teeth several times a day and still suffers from cavities, while the other hardly cares for hygiene and shows no lesions. The explanation, according to the specialist, goes beyond brushing and helps to understand silent risks to oral health.

What the dentist explains about the relationship between hygiene and cavity

The dentist’s assessment is that hygiene is still important, but it does not explain everything on its own. There is indeed a genetic factor that can influence each person’s tendency to have more or fewer cavities. This trait, according to the specialist, can appear even within the same family, when siblings show very different behaviors regarding dental health.

This point draws attention because it breaks a simplified idea about the problem. Not always will the patient who brushes less have more cavities, and not always will someone who maintains a more careful routine be completely protected. Each person’s body reacts differently, and this helps explain why the office receives such distinct cases.

How saliva can completely change the risk for teeth

Cavity, acid mouth, tartar, and sensitivity change oral health and help explain why not all hygiene yields the same result.

One of the most important factors pointed out by the specialist is the quality of saliva. According to him, saliva has something called buffering capacity, which is related to pH and the ability to neutralize acids in the mouth after eating. This response varies from person to person.

In practice, some people can efficiently neutralize the acidity of the mouth shortly after eating, while others do not have the same response. When this neutralization does not happen effectively, the acids continue to act and compromise dental health. This creates a more favorable environment for the development of problems such as cavities.

Why acid mouth draws so much attention in the office

Acid mouth appears as one of the main warning signs in the specialist’s explanation. This happens because the acidic environment favors bacterial development and creates a scenario more conducive to the advancement of plaque and lesions on the teeth.

This observation helps to understand why some people have more cavities even when they maintain frequent care. If the oral environment remains acidic for longer, the risk increases. The explanation shows that the problem is not only in the number of brushings but also in how the body reacts to what the person eats and the chemical balance of the mouth.

What tartar reveals about the pH of saliva

Another curious point raised by the specialist involves the relationship between tartar and cavities. According to him, people who have more cavities usually have a more acidic mouth and, in many cases, less tartar. Those with more tartar tend to have more alkaline saliva, which increases the chance of forming calculus.

This contrast draws attention because it goes against the more common perception that tartar would always indicate a worse situation in every sense. In the explanation presented, it can reveal a different oral environment, with less acidity and lower ease of cavity development. This does not mean an absence of risk, but shows that oral problems do not follow the same pattern for everyone.

What this means for those with mouth ulcers and other signs in the mouth

Cavity, acidic mouth, tartar, and sensitivity change oral health and help explain why not all hygiene yields the same result.

The specialist’s analysis also addresses another recurring problem: canker sores. According to him, these lesions may be related to more than one factor. In some cases, they may be associated with gastric issues. In others, they may arise with lowered immunity, during times preceding a flu, cold, or some infection.

This point reinforces a central idea of oral health: many signs in the mouth are multifactorial. Not everything can be attributed solely to hygiene. When canker sores appear repeatedly, the situation deserves attention because it may be linked to internal conditions of the body and not just to brushing habits.

Why tooth sensitivity increased and what can trigger the problem

Another topic highlighted by the specialist is dentin hypersensitivity. According to him, reports of this discomfort have increased significantly since the pandemic. Pain when drinking cold water, consuming popsicles, or coming into contact with very cold temperatures has become more frequent in many patients.

Among the factors already mapped by science, he cites teeth grinding and clenching, corrosion, acidic mouth, frequent consumption of very acidic foods, and also the loss of dental structure. People with reflux, for example, may also experience significant hypersensitivity. This shows that sensitivity usually does not have a single cause and requires a broader evaluation.

What changes in practice for those suffering from acidic mouth and sensitivity

In practice, the guidance is to view oral health as a whole. The specialist states that today it is difficult to isolate a single diagnosis for hypersensitivity, which is why treatment usually considers all the hypotheses identified during the clinical evaluation.

This reasoning changes how the patient perceives the problem. Instead of focusing solely on the symptom, such as pain from cold, it becomes necessary to investigate acidity, habits, tooth wear, clenching, and other factors that may be acting simultaneously. This helps to create a more precise and effective approach.

The technologies and care that can help in treatment

The specialist emphasizes that there are now important treatments to relieve this discomfort. Among them are products used in clinics and also toothpaste that assist in daily care. These resources can reduce the impact of sensitivity and improve the patient’s routine.

In addition, he mentions the use of high-power laser, a technology that, according to the explanation provided, can perform remineralization of the enamel, obliterate exposed structures of the tooth, and completely cease sensitivity. This topic shows that modern dentistry is not limited to traditional prevention and has tools capable of acting more directly on the problem.

Why oral health cannot be analyzed the same way for everyone

The main message left by the specialist’s explanation is that each person’s mouth responds in its own way. Genetics, saliva pH, tendency to acidity, tartar formation, recurrent canker sores, and sensitivity help to show that oral health depends on various factors simultaneously.

Therefore, comparing one patient to another does not always lead to a correct conclusion. Someone may seem protected even without good habits, while another person faces difficulties despite maintaining a good hygiene routine. What defines the real risk, according to the dentist, is the sum of these individual conditions that need to be evaluated carefully.

Have you noticed such differences in your family, with one person having more cavities and another almost none even with very different habits?

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Carla Teles

Produzo conteúdos diários sobre economia, curiosidades, setor automotivo, tecnologia, inovação, construção e setor de petróleo e gás, com foco no que realmente importa para o mercado brasileiro. Aqui, você encontra oportunidades de trabalho atualizadas e as principais movimentações da indústria. Tem uma sugestão de pauta ou quer divulgar sua vaga? Fale comigo: carlatdl016@gmail.com

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