Every time you eat a meal, snack on a mid-morning treat, or sip your vanilla latte, you leave behind sugars in your mouth.
These sugars become a feeding ground for bacteria.
The bacteria eat up the leftovers, convert it into ugly plaque, and then stay until it creates acid that wears off tooth enamel and eventually leads to a dentist’s worst enemy: cavities!
Ouch! Nobody likes cavities!
What practical steps can you take today to prevent you and your family from suffering from cavities?
Here are 5 great ways to protect your smile against cavities.
1. Maintain a Healthy Diet to Prevent Cavities
What causes cavities? Ask any kid, and they will tell you. Sugar!
Many of us have a sweet tooth, and there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself here and there. However, moderation is key. Maintaining a healthy diet with minimal sugary snacks can go a long way to help you prevent pesky cavities from developing.
Mayo Clinic advises “foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables increase saliva flow, and unsweetened coffee, tea and sugar-free gum help wash away food particles.”
Steer clear of foods that easily get stuck in your teeth, and aim for a high intake of nutritious foods.
Yes, when you trade candy for carrots, you could be saving yourself from a cavity!
2. Regularly Brush Your Teeth with Fluoride Toothpaste
Brushing your teeth may seem like a no-brainer, and it’s true. Still, the importance of brushing at least twice a day cannot be overemphasized. Be sure to hit all angles of your teeth; top, bottom, sides, and especially next to the gum line.
Pro tip: Bring an extra toothbrush and tube of toothpaste to work. A midday brush right after lunch can do a lot to promote oral health and hygiene all day long.
It’s important to ask for recommendations from your Dental Of Clementon here in Clementon, NJ for tips on how you can improve the quality of your daily tooth cleaning routine along what kind of fluoride toothpaste and toothbrush is right for you.
3. Get in the Routine of Flossing
You’re probably tired of your dentist asking you the dreaded “have you started flossing yet?” question on each visit.
We get it. Flossing is a tough habit to establish, but once you start, you’ll be doing wonders for your teeth!
Pro tip: If you’re struggling to floss, start by getting some floss sticks and use them while you do something you enjoy, like checking Instagram or reading a book.
When you take just a couple minutes to floss before bed, it removes debris that your toothbrush simply can’t get on its own. Flossing helps get a much more complete clean on your teeth while working to prevent cavities and even gum disease.
4. Have Dental Sealants Placed
Applying dental sealants can do a lot in the way of cavity prevention, especially for children, but also for adults.
“Dental sealants are thin coatings that when painted on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth (molars) can prevent cavities for many years,” explains the Centers for Disease Control and Protection (CDC).
This simple and painless step can prevent a lot of trouble, since “untreated cavities can cause pain, infection, and problems eating, speaking, and learning,” adds the CDC.
5. Regularly Visit Your Dentist
Here at Dental Of Clementon, we know that the last thing you want to do is come in for a dentist appointment and find out you have a cavity. Trust us, we don’t enjoy delivering that kind of news!
One of the best things you can do to prevent cavities is coming in for preventative dental care on a regular basis. We recommend making a teeth cleaning appointment every six months.
We will keep your teeth in tip-top shape, and if you do happen to have a cavity, we will be sure to catch it in the early stages, so we can minimize the damage and discomfort.
Book an appointment today at our friendly family dentistry practice here in Clementon, NJ!