21 Feb 2019

Preventing Tooth Decay – Tips For A Healthier Smile That Lasts

Preventing tooth decay starts with good oral hygiene and dietary habits. As you

have probably heard, it’s important that you always brush your teeth at least

twice a day as well as floss daily. We probably sound like a broken record, but it’s

true! Brushing and flossing are your first lines of defense against cavities.

How Does Tooth Decay Happen?

Tooth decay starts when food particles are left behind on your teeth from eating

and drinking. Bacteria in your mouth feed off of these food particles and turn

them into acid. The acid then eats holes into your teeth. These holes are called

cavities. Before cavities get a chance to negatively affect your oral health, we

have some preventive dental tips for you to follow!

Preventive At-Home Dental Care

In order to prevent tooth decay, you need to consistently maintain good oral

health habits. This includes brushing with a fluoridated toothpaste and flossing. It

is also important to limit your intake of carbohydrates and sugars. We know this

is easier said than done, but remember that eliminating sugary, processed foods

and beverages have other health benefits, too, which can help you stay

motivated.

Drinking plenty of water and chewing sugarless gum can also help remove food

debris from your mouth and encourage production of saliva. Naturally occurring

chemicals in your saliva help fight the bacteria and the acid damage they cause!

Visit Your Dentist Regularly Even if your oral hygiene is perfect, it is still a good idea to visit your dentist for

regular check-ups and professional cleaning at least twice a year. Despite your

best efforts, plaque and tartar can still build up and cause damage in areas your

toothbrush and floss can’t get to.

Maintaining your regular appointments and teeth cleanings will keep you on a

good path for preventing tooth decay. If you are genetically predisposed to gum

disease or other oral health issues, it is important that you do not skip any

appointments with your dentist. Some people don’t realize that taking good

preventive dental health steps early can even save you money and prevent

expensive restorative dental care in your later years.

Preventing tooth decay is essential to keeping all of your natural teeth and

maintaining a healthy smile. For more information about your oral health, or to

schedule your next appointment, call our office today.

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