WebMD has a nice article regarding some common myths about dental cavities. A few notable ones are that “sugar causes cavities” or “kids have more cavities than adults”. Read on for more!

15 Myths and Facts About Cavities
By Tracy Brown
WebMD Feature

1. Sugar Is the Only Thing That Causes Cavities
Myth, but it’s almost a fact.
“The truth is, acid produced by bacteria in your mouth is the cause of cavities,” says Kimberly A. Harms, DDS, an American Dental Association spokeswoman.
Any carb you eat can start that process. That includes sugar as well as rice, potatoes, bread, fruits, and vegetables.

2. Acid Causes Tooth Decay
Fact. Acidic foods can break down your teeth‘s outer shell (enamel), weaken the tooth, and make teeth more prone to decay.
“The bacteria responsible for tooth decay produces acids. Eating acidic foods often throughout the day (including juice and soda) can enhance that process,” says Misty Horn-Blake, DDS, a dentist in Johnson City, TN.
So, go light on the acid and practice good oral care.

3. Kids Get Way More Cavities Than Adults
Myth. Thanks to fluoride in tap water, “we’ve actually cut decay in school-aged children by half in the last 20 years,” Harms says.
On the flip side, she says cavities in senior citizens are on the rise because of medicines that dry out the mouth. They reduce saliva, which protects your teeth.

4. Aspirin Next to a Tooth Will Help a Toothache
Myth. You have to swallow the aspirin to ease your pain. Since aspirin is acidic, it could burn your gum tissue and cause a painful ulcer if you place it next to a tooth.

5. All Fillings Will Need to Replaced
Myth. “Fillings do have a life expectancy,” Harms says, but it depends on things like tooth wear and oral hygiene.
If you keep up with your dental routine, you’re less likely to have problems, and your fillings may last longer.

6. You’ll Know When You Have a Cavity
Myth. “Sometimes you will know it, but at that point, it has usually spread to larger proportions than it would have if it had been found at a routine dental screening,” Horn-Blake says.
With timely checkups, your dentist can find a cavity before it causes pain.

7. Once a Tooth Is Treated, the Decay Stops
Fact. Once you get a cavity filled, the decay at the spot will not progress. But if you don’t take care of your teeth, a new cavity may develop next to the filling or even around the filling.

For the rest of the article, look here: ​www.webmd.com/oral-health/features/cavities-myths

What myths have you heard about dental cavities?