Cavities, also known as tooth decay, can occur at any time. While adults can develop tooth decay, children are more susceptible due to poor dental care and dietary habits. Fortunately, smaller cavities can be easily filled using composite resin materials without any issues.
If a cavity is left unfilled, it will continue to spread within the tooth until it reaches the pulp, eventually requiring a root canal. To maintain oral health, it is important to practice prevention, similar to how you would approach other health issues. This blog covers easy preventative measures for cavities.
Determine Your Cavity Risk
Understanding the seriousness of your cavity is the initial step toward taking control of your oral health. The most effective way to assess this is through a comprehensive dental examination. By regularly scheduling checkups and consultations with your dentist, you can evaluate your current condition, identify any necessary treatments, and make necessary adjustments to your diet and dental hygiene routine. Being aware of your risk level empowers you to enhance your dental health in a more focused and efficient manner.
Understanding your cavity risk level can also help you determine the frequency of your dental visits. If your cavity risk is low, you may not need to see the dentist as frequently. During routine dental exams, you can find out your risk level and discuss it with your dentist.
Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day Using Fluoride Toothpaste
Maintaining proper dental hygiene is crucial for preventing cavities. The first step in a successful dental hygiene routine is to brush your teeth twice daily, once in the morning and once at night. By removing food particles and plaque, which are known to harbor germs, brushing your teeth for two to three minutes with a dentist-recommended toothpaste (preferably one containing fluoride) helps keep your teeth clean.
Plaque, which adheres to the teeth and attacks them with acid, causing erosion and pockets, is known as a cavity. You can eliminate plaque and other particles that promote its growth by cleaning your teeth twice a day. Some dental hygiene enthusiasts even clean their teeth immediately after each meal to promptly remove food particles and bacteria, preventing the formation of cavities.
You should consider using the correct brushing techniques when you brush your teeth. The American Dental Association recommends the following steps for brushing:
- Applying gentle pressure and using a toothbrush with soft bristles can also help reduce the risk of gingival damage
- Hold the toothbrush against the gums at a 45-degree angle. Gently brush the chewing and inner surfaces of the teeth by moving the brush forward and backward in short, tooth-wide strokes
- To clean the inner regions of the front teeth, gently apply an up-and-down motion with the brush tip
- To eliminate microorganisms and improve your breath, brush your tongue
- Remember to change your toothbrush at least once every three to four months
Floss Your Teeth At Least Once a Day
Flossing at least once a day is the second crucial component of a good dental hygiene regimen. Five surfaces on your teeth are susceptible to cavities. To prevent cavities from forming on two of those surfaces, it is essential to clean them using floss or another interdental cleaning tool. Flossing is the only way to access the surfaces between each tooth and the pocket that forms at the base of the gum.
Brushing, on the other hand, only cleans the front, rear, and chewing surfaces of the teeth. Flossing allows you to access areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. In addition, it ensures that the spaces between your teeth are free from microscopic food particles.
Rinse Your Mouth With a Fluoride-Containing Mouthwash
Ensure that you rinse your teeth with fluoride mouthwash after brushing and flossing. Using mouthwash daily helps reduce oral bacteria and, as a result, prevents dental plaque formation. Regular use of fluoride mouthwash also plays a significant role in preventing periodontal disease.
To ensure proper rinsing, it is important to follow the directions provided with the mouthwash. Most mouthwashes recommend swishing 30 milliliters of liquid for 30 seconds. This thorough rinsing helps eliminate food particles, bacteria, and plaque that can lead to cavities, leaving your mouth fresh and clean.
Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Competent family dentists advise visiting the dentist twice a year. This regular check-up allows them to detect dental decay early and prevent it from becoming severe. By visiting a dental professional every 6 months, you can save money, time, pain, and anguish in the long run with the aid of preventive dentistry.
During your appointment, you can expect a thorough deep cleaning to effectively remove plaque and deep stains that have accumulated between your teeth and under the gum line. Not only will this help improve the overall appearance of your teeth, but it will also leave your breath smelling fresher.
Fill Cavities As Soon As Possible
Visiting a dental professional twice a year is also beneficial as they can detect cavities early and provide prompt treatment. Dental fillings are effective in preventing further damage such as tooth loss or decay, while restoring the stability and shape of the teeth. They are used to replace worn-out or deteriorated teeth, fill cavities, and repair damaged or injured teeth.
Take A Lot of Water
When it comes to preventing cavities, there are numerous advantages to drinking water and staying hydrated. One benefit of drinking water throughout the day is that it rinses your mouth frequently, helping to loosen and remove food particles and carbohydrates that plaque tends to cling to.
Furthermore, drinking water instead of soda, coffee, wine, or any other sugary beverage stimulates salivation. Saliva acts as the body's natural mouthwash, keeping your mouth moist. It contains components and electrolytes that aid in the breakdown of food, kick-starting the digestive process, and eliminating microorganisms. As a result, your mouth's salivary glands provide additional protection against cavities and plaque.
Eat Healthy
What you eat matters. The primary cause of cavities and the proliferation of germs is sugar. It is crucial to restrict your intake of sugar in both food and beverages to prevent cavities. Gum, candy, and sweets are major offenders in terms of cavity formation. It is recommended to avoid these types of foods whenever possible.
If you consume acidic and sugary meals and beverages, it is important to clean your teeth immediately and try to avoid consuming these items right before bed. Foods consumed before bed have the highest potential to develop cavities, as they can cause food particles to remain in your mouth throughout the night.
Consider Taking Vegetables and Crunchy Fruits
When you were growing up, your parents probably emphasized the importance of eating fruits and vegetables, just like the majority of adults do. Consuming fruits and vegetables not only helps us feel full for longer periods without consuming excessive calories, but they also provide us with the essential vitamins and minerals that our bodies need.
Crunchy vegetables and fruits not only serve as essential components of our meals but also help clean our mouths. By incorporating foods such as apples, pears, broccoli, and celery into our diets, we can effectively keep plaque and bacteria at bay.
Avoid Frequent Snacking and Consuming Sugary Drinks Throughout The Day
When considering the frequency of meals throughout the day, there are various medical viewpoints to take into account. While most medical doctors recommend having six small meals a day, three well-proportioned meals spread out throughout the day can also be sufficient. However, incorporating snacks in addition to regular meals can present challenges for your oral health.
Snacking between meals and consuming sugary food and drinks throughout the day (excluding water) introduces more food particles that bacteria thrive on into your mouth. This can contribute to tooth decay. Moreover, the acids present in these snacks and beverages can have a detrimental effect on your dental health.
Taking snacks between meals puts constant stress on your teeth, increasing the risk of cavities. During a full meal, your salivary flow is highest, which helps prevent the introduction of new foods and acids, reducing the likelihood of bacterial growth.
Take Sugar-Free Gum
If you are an anxious eater or frequently find yourself reaching for food, chewing gum can be beneficial. However, it's important to note that gum containing a high amount of sugar can be detrimental to our teeth. On the other hand, sugar-free gum can help satisfy cravings and promote salivation, which aids in removing food particles and bacteria from the mouth. Nonetheless, it is crucial to remember that using sugar-free gum does not replace the need for regular brushing and flossing of your teeth.
Consider Fluoride Treatments or Sealants
During your next dental appointment, be sure to ask your dentist about fluoride treatments or sealants for your teeth. While sealants are not a cure-all, they can provide protection for your teeth, reduce cavities in specific areas of your mouth, and are affordable. Fluoride, on the other hand, helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening your teeth's resistance to the acids produced by plaque bacteria. Additionally, depending on your biting habits, your dental sealant can last for many years.
Stay Away From Tobacco Products
It is widely acknowledged that the use of tobacco products and smoking can lead to a multitude of health issues. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, resulting in illness and disability. Currently, more than 16 million Americans are affected by smoking-related illnesses. However, many people are unaware of the risks that smoking and using oral tobacco pose to the teeth, gums, and mouth.
The use of any tobacco product, including smokeless tobacco, can have both temporary and permanent effects on your dental health. Tobacco products can cause gums to recede, creating pockets where cavities can easily form along the gum line. Additionally, tobacco usage can worsen existing cavities by further damaging the tooth.
Consider Oil Pulling
Coconut oil is ideal for your mouth because it naturally contains antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. The steps involved in oil pulling are as follows:
- Take one tablespoon of coconut oil and place it in your mouth. The coconut oil will quickly melt and become a liquid
- Swish the coconut oil around your oral cavity for five to twenty minutes. Make sure to swish it in the furthest corners of your mouth and in between your teeth. Remember not to swallow it
- The coconut oil will solidify at room temperature, so dispose of it in a garbage can
Watch Your Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol consumption greatly affects dental health, making it crucial to be mindful of the type, frequency, and quantity of alcohol you consume. This is because many alcoholic beverages contain high levels of sugar and strong acidity. When choosing an alcoholic beverage, consider options such as white wine, light beers, or cocktails made with seltzer water. These choices tend to produce fewer acids and cause less discoloration as the sugars dissolve.
Follow Your Dental Professional's Recommendations
Your dentist will frequently provide you with guidance and suggestions on how to improve your dental care. Whether you need crowns, braces, bridgework, or dental veneers, they may offer product recommendations, technique advice, and crucial maintenance instructions for brushing and flossing your teeth. If you're dealing with periodontal disease, specialized care can help heal your gums and reduce the risk of tooth decay.
By following your dentist's recommendations, you can prevent cavities, maintain proper teeth cleaning, and see a noticeable improvement in the health and cleanliness of your teeth. To make the most out of your dental examinations, be sure to ask your dentist relevant questions that will help you better care for your teeth at home.
Find an Encino Dentist Near Me
To protect yourself against cavities and prevent more serious dental issues, it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene. During your next dental checkup, be sure to ask your dentist for additional suggestions on cavity prevention. If you discover that you have cavities, don't hesitate to call Lasting Impressions Dental Spa at 818-751-5100. We offer affordable surgical and non-surgical treatment options to address your cavities. Contact our Encino dentists today to schedule an appointment, and they will provide you with secure and cost-effective solutions.
