Both young and old are susceptible to cavities, and everyone knows that they aren’t fun. But don’t fret—we’re going to share with you some ways to avoid these inconvenient and at times irritating pain-in-the-tooths! Read on to discover how you can keep tooth decay at bay.
Cavities 101
You know how we’re always telling you to brush your teeth two times a day for two minutes each time and floss once a day? Well, turns out that’s not just a fun prank we’re playing on you guys. When you don’t brush your teeth routinely, the acid produced by your oral bacteria that has feasted upon residual food particles can dissolve your enamel and cause tooth decay. These areas of decay often come in the form of a tiny hole called a cavity. So, be sure to take your daily oral hygiene routine very seriously! Don’t wait until your teeth are decaying and falling out.
Cavity Prevention
- Oral Hygiene
- Water
- Fluoride
- Diet
- Sugar-Free Gum
As we mentioned before, daily oral hygiene is critical for warding off cavities. Brush twice a day for two minutes each time and floss at least once a day.
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid mouth dryness (which increases your risk for tooth decay) and to help wash away sugary particles after eating and drinking.
Help prevent tooth decay by using fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash, and drinking fluoridated water. Fluoride works together with your teeth and saliva to enhance the process of remineralization, which hardens and strengthens your enamel. Most people who live in the city get some of their fluoride from the city’s community water supply. For those who live out in more rural areas, talk to us about possibly upping your fluoride intake with a fluoride supplement.
Diet also plays a big role in cavity prevention. Eating fresh fruits, veggies, dairy products, and foods with a lot of fiber, protein, and calcium can help keep your teeth strong and healthy. Limit your consumption of sweet treats, dried fruit, candy, soda, potato chips, white bread, and processed foods with added sugar.
If it doesn’t cause you jaw pain, chew sugar-free gum after meals to promote saliva production. For an additional cavity-prevention boost, find a kind that includes xylitol.
Visit Us for Your Biannual Dental Checkup
Additionally, don’t forget to visit us every six months! It’s not just that we miss you, but it’s good for your teeth too. If you don’t let us keep an eye out for the beginning stages of decay, cavities can sneak up on you and cause uncomfortable toothaches, tooth infections, and tooth loss. At Elevate Smile Design, our expert smile team will alert you when you have a cavity that needs to be treated.
Schedule your next appointment at Elevate Smile Design to check whether you have any cavities.
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