7 Ways to Prevent Cavities
7 Ways to
Prevent Cavities
Do you want to visit the dentist and
get a clean bill of health each time? Learning how to prevent cavities will go
a long way towards ensuring you don't need to come back and get a filling.
The tooth decay that leads to
cavities occurs when the bacteria in your mouth form a sticky plaque on
your teeth.
When you eat or drink, bacteria use
the sugars in the food and one of the byproducts is acid. The sticky plaque
holds this acid against your teeth where it attacks your tooth enamel, leading to cavities.
Brush
Your Teeth
In the fight against cavities, it is
essential that you brush your teeth properly at least twice a day with
a toothpaste containing fluoride. You can use a regular
toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. Be sure to brush all sides of your teeth:
front, back, and top. Brushing your teeth removes the plaque, but it will form
again in a few hours, so you have to brush at least twice a day.
Floss
or Clean Between Your Teeth Daily
Food debris gets caught in between
your teeth when you eat. If the debris is not removed, it can lead to
cavities. Flossing or using an interdental
cleaner every day is the best way to remove food debris from in between
the teeth.
Eat Healthy
Proper nutrition plays an important role in good
dental health.
Eating nutritional snacks and
limiting the amount of sugary drinks will help to prevent plaque from forming
on your teeth. Drink water instead.
Don't make a habit of having frequent
sugary snacks, including hard candy and other snacks that contain sugar.
Visit
Your Dentist and Dental Hygienist
Many cavities can only be detected by
a dentist or a dental X-ray. Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups and
cleanings is a key factor in preventing cavities and staying on top of
good oral hygiene. You may also want to discuss with your dentist whether you
should use supplemental fluoride to strengthen your teeth. The dental hygienist
can give you tips for brushing and flossing so you will know that you are doing
it correctly
Have
Sealants Placed
Dental sealants are a protective
coating that is applied to the biting surfaces of the back teeth. The sealant
protects the tooth from getting a cavity by shielding against bacteria and
plaque. Sealants are more common in children because of the new growth of
permanent teeth, however, sealants can benefit adults also.
Use
a Mouthrinse
There are several antimicrobial mouth
rinses on the market that have been clinically proven to reduce plaque, such as
Listerine or Crest Pro Health. Rinsing with one of these mouth rinses after
brushing or eating can aid in cavity prevention.
Chew
(Sugarless) Gum
Believe it or not, chewing certain
sugarless gums can actually help to prevent cavities by increasing the flow of
saliva in your mouth. Look for the Seal of Acceptance
on other sugar-free gum, including Bazooka Sugar-Free Bubble Gum. Now you have
an excuse for blowing bubbles.
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