Everyone knows that cavities can be a big problem. They are one of the most common dental problems that people face. However, most people don’t realize that cavities are preventable with the proper care and maintenance of your teeth and gums. As long as you know what to do, you can go your entire life without a single cavity. Here is what you should know to prevent cavities.
Daily Care is the Key
Whatever you do to improve your oral health, doing it daily is the key. Beginning a daily practice ensures that you remove any particles and buildup from your teeth. In many cases, you are using toothpaste and other chemicals that help to repair and renew your teeth so that they will last longer. Cavities often appear when your teeth quickly decay from a lack of care. So, the most effective change that you could make to your oral health is to begin a daily care routine.
Brush Your Teeth and Floss Daily
The easiest thing that you can do to avoid cavities is to brush and floss your teeth daily. This daily care routine is easily accessible, requires simple tools and can take as little as ten minutes per day. Brushing is an effective way of removing stuck-on buildup from the surface of your teeth, which prevents bacteria and corrosive foods from attacking the enamel on your teeth. The more often you brush, the more healthy your teeth will stay.
Flossing is also important since it removes buildup that brushing usually misses. Brushes work well on flat surfaces, but not in between your teeth. Floss can get into these tiny spaces and pull buildup out so that it is not contributing to the erosion of your teeth. Brushing and flossing are great for your teeth, but they also have positive effects on your gums.
Avoid Corrosive Foods
Prevention is an essential part of avoiding cavities. Avoid foods that contain acids that are corrosive to the enamel on your teeth. Eating or drinking them in large amounts over time can wear out your teeth quickly and leave them permanently stained. Soda is a big target for dentists since most sodas contain multiple chemicals that are very bad for your teeth and overall health. These chemicals can strip away the surface of your teeth very quickly even with proper routines and daily care. Coffee is another drink that you should limit the use of since it can have the same effect to a lesser degree.
Control Your Sugar Intake
While not as bad as acid, sugar is another source of cavity problems. Many candies have similar compositions and ingredients to sodas, which are bad for your teeth. However, sugar is the main problem. High amounts of sugar on your teeth can lead to increased bacteria growth. This bacteria can strip away the lining of your teeth and leave them open to the formation of cavities. If you do consume a lot of sugar at one time, try to clean your teeth thoroughly afterward so that your teeth won’t have bacteria problems later.
If you are concerned about protecting yourself from cavities, you should see your dentist. Your dentist can show you how to properly clean your teeth so that you can avoid problems. Dentists also have higher-quality tools that they use to clean teeth so that you can remove the hardest buildup and restore some of your teeth’s health.
If you would like to learn more or start your journey to dental health, please contact Dental Associates, LLP, at 860-677-8666 to schedule an appointment.