Blog

6 Ways to Prevent Cavities

In a world with so many delicious foods and drinks and limited time to spend caring for our dental health, we all have to deal with cavities. Cavities are holes in our teeth due to tooth decay, usually caused by sugary or starchy foods and drinks and less-than-perfect oral hygiene.

Children and older adults are particularly at risk for getting cavities. However, anyone with teeth can get cavities, including children and even infants. If left untreated, cavities will get worse and can result in toothache and tooth loss.

While we can’t avoid cavities entirely, there are some things we can do to prevent them that are critical to know in order to prevent cavities and the consequences that can result from them.

Here are our top six ways to prevent cavities.

1.Use a fluoride toothpaste an hour after eating or drinking.

Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in plants, water, soil, rocks, and even air. It can also be produced synthetically and added to toothpaste, mouthwash, cleaning agents, supplements, pesticides, and more.

In dentistry, fluoride is used to strengthen enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth. Healthy enamel prevents cavities and tooth decay, which is a prevalent problem, especially among children.

We all know brushing our teeth is key to good dental health, but it’s also important to brush them correctly.

You might think it makes sense to brush right after you eat; however, this can do more harm than good. Right after you eat, your saliva is more acidic than usual. Brushing can rub the acid into your teeth, causing damage. It’s best to wait an hour after eating to brush your teeth.

2.Use an antibacterial mouthwash with fluoride.

While brushing is great, you can’t always clean your mouth thoroughly with a toothbrush. That’s where mouthwash can be a great help. Pick an unflavored, antibacterial mouthwash with fluoride added.

3.Visit your dentist regularly.

Visiting your dentist regularly is one of the best things you can do for your dental health.

There are plenty of benefits when you invest in regular dentist check-ups. Here are some of the most important benefits:

• Detecting Cancer: There will be various detectable signs that your dentist will look for when performing a check-up. They’ll be able to tell you when it’s time to seek extra help.
• Managing Tooth Damage: When tooth damage is caught early, it makes the treatment easier when getting your teeth back to tip-top shape. This will include cavities, plaque, tartar, and tooth decay.
• Gum Health: When tartar and plaque build up in your mouth, it can cause gum disease, and this is where the swelling, pain, or bleeding will occur. At this point, be ready for frequent dentist visits until they feel your teeth and gums are fully healed.

4.Drink tap water over bottled water.

Many areas add fluoride to their public water supply to benefit the dental health of their citizens. If you only ever drink filtered or bottled water, you are missing out on this benefit!

5.Avoid frequent snacking.

This one’s obvious. We all know sugary, sticky, or starchy foods and drinks cause bacteria to grow in our mouths and cause cavities. Frequent snacking between teeth-brushing gives these foods and beverages time to wear away at our enamel.

6.Ask your dentist about fluoride treatments.

If you feel you don’t get enough fluoride, you can receive a fluoride treatment at your next dentist appointment. If you ask your dentist, they can apply fluoride directly to your teeth in the form of a liquid, foam, or gel. Also, be sure to ask your dentist about fluoride supplements.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Liberman today!

Concerned about your oral health during the age of coronavirus? Schedule an examination with Dr. Liberman today! Proactive dental care is the best defense against cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, and other threats to your dental and overall health. To schedule an examination or learn more, contact us today!