Dental cavities are tiny holes that occur on the surface of your teeth when bacteria in your mouth makes acid and attacks the tooth’s surface and enamel. There are many risk factors to developing cavities such as a dry mouth, frequent snacking on sugary foods and drinks, and improper dental hygiene.
Once a cavity progresses to a certain level , it cannot be fixed without a visit to the dentist. There are however ways to prevent cavities before they occur or even stop them from progressing when they are small.
Here are five ways to avoid or minimize this risk of cavities.
1. Brushing with Toothpaste containing fluoride
Flouride helps the enamel of your teeth stay strong so that it can resist the acid produced by bacteria in your mouth. Therefore, toothpastes that contain fluoride can help prevent cavities.
2. Daily oral hygiene routine
Brushing and flossing twice a day will help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Flossing helps remove plaque and cleans areas that your toothbrush cannot reach. It is important to clean your teeth before going to sleep so that bacteria don’t have a chance to damage your teeth.
3. Limit sugary foods
Having a well-balanced healthy diet will improve your overall oral health. Limiting sugary foods and drinks will help reduce your chances of developing cavities. If you do have sticky foods try to brush your teeth soon after to remove any remnants on your teeth that can lead to tooth decay.
4. Sealants
Dental sealants are placed on the deep grooves of teeth in individuals that have a high risk for decay. By doing this we can minimize chances of decay in the future by converting the deep grooves that catch food to a shallow smooth surface that will not retain plaque.
5. Routine Dental Visits
Regular hygiene visits and dental exams are essential to maintaining your oral health. Regular cleanings will allow us to assess the health of your gums and teeth.
We can help prevent progression of potential cavities and ensure your oral hygiene routine at home is working for you.