Easy Tips for Preventing Tooth Decay

Ever since you were a kid, you have been cautioned about the perils of tooth decay. You likely received countless admonitions about brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist twice a year. However, do you truly understand how tooth decay happens, and what you can do to stop it? Continue reading to discover some simple tips for cavity prevention and maintaining a healthy mouth now and in the future.

Tooth decay is characterized by the breakdown of a tooth’s structure, which impacts the outer enamel as well as the dentin. Tooth decay happens when carbohydrate-rich food and beverage items like candy, bread, milk or fruit are allowed to remain on the teeth after being consumed. Bacteria that naturally reside in the mouth then feed on those starches and sugars, transforming them into acid. These elements combine to create plaque, which sticks stubbornly to your teeth. Ultimately, the acids work to dissolve tooth enamel, causing the holes known as cavities.

For adults, as well as children, tooth decay can become a serious problem, but fortunately, simple cavity-prevention techniques can work wonders. Brushing at least twice daily with fluoride toothpaste—particularly before bed—helps remove food build-up. Using dental floss or an interdental cleaner also helps to eliminate food particles. Following a healthy lifestyle, eating well, and keeping snacks to a minimum helps stop residual carbohydrates from sitting atop the teeth and causing cavities. Making sure to drink lots of fluoridated water also helps a great deal when it comes to preventing tooth decay.

Seeing a dentist in Peoria at least twice a year for thorough exams and cleanings is also essential to maintaining good oral health. Affordable dentists everywhere are beginning to recommend that patients chew sugarless gum containing xylitol, which has been shown to slow the bacterial growth responsible for tooth decay. In addition, researchers are working on new products that may be placed between teeth in order to provide a slow release of protective fluoride over time. Other potentially imminent breakthroughs in cavity prevention include rinses and toothpastes that may actually reverse cavities when used at an early stage of their development.

By following a series of cavity-prevention tips and adopting some healthy lifestyle habits, you can make a big difference in your ability to prevent tooth decay.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Peoria, call Maple Shade Dental Group today or make an appointment.