Many people mistakenly believe that cavities only occur when you're young. The truth is that cavities can occur at any age. But, knowing what causes cavities and what you can do to prevent them can save you the need for a tooth filling.
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| Prevent a visit to treat a cavity |
Tooth decay happens when plaque on your teeth combines with the sugars or starches in the foods we eat, producing acids that can eat through tooth enamel, causing bacteria and tooth decay. Staying on top of this interaction is key to cavity prevention.
Here is a list of things you can do right now to help prevent future cavities for yourself and other family members:
- Brush your teeth
- Floss between your teeth
- Visit your dentist for oral check ups
- Get your teeth cleaned at your dentist's office
- Use mouthwash or rinse
- Get tooth sealants from your dentist
- Eat healthy foods
- Chew sugarless gum
- Drink water
- Don't share glassware or utensils
1) Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes isn't as difficult if you make it part of a routine which is performed at the same time each morning and each night before bed. Some find that the use of a sonic toothbrush helps regulate time and isn't as tiresome. They can also help you from "scrubbing" too hard which can cause damage to your gums. Once you get the hang of how long two minutes is, the time begins to go by quite fast. The difference you'll notice will amaze you.
2) Flossing is something that many people dread because it is seen as very time-consuming. However, there are great flossing tools available now that will help keep your fingers from turning purple (due to winding floss too tightly around your fingers), and the unpleasantness of getting drool all over your hands! Some come in the form of picks with floss at one end, others look like a tuning fork with floss stretched between the forks, allowing you to access all of your teeth in a fraction of the time and without any mess. Some are angled to provide extremely easy use. You don't have to put up with hard-to-use floss anymore.
3) A visit at least twice a year to your dentist is one of the best ways to prevent cavities. Your dentist is able to watch for early signs of tooth decay and stop them before they require a lot of drilling and a large filling. Your checkups can also detect other problems such as disease and oral cancers early when they are much easier to treat.
4) As part of your yearly visits, you'll want to see the hygienist at your dental office for a thorough tooth cleaning. These cleanings take care of areas that even the best brushing and flossing can miss, and visits are usually quick and painless. In truth, there's nothing like the feeling of spotlessly clean teeth following a professional tooth cleaning at the dentist office. I can't be the only one who loves to run their tongue over my teeth after they've polished up!
5) Often overlooked, and something that takes only a few extra seconds is the mouthwash. Available in a variety of flavors, colors, dental washes and rinses can target specific problems such as dental plaque, whitening and fluoride to help strengthen teeth.
6) Tooth sealants are sometimes recommended by your dentist following a checkup or a dental cleaning. Sealants help shield your teeth from plaque and bacteria. Application is painless and usually fast, and contrary to what some believe, it's not just for kids anymore.
7) It's funny to think that eating healthy can actually help prevent cavities, but decades of dental research has shown that it is true. Since eating healthy not only improves your dental health, but the health of your entire body, it is well worth making changes. Change doesn't have to happen overnight to be beneficial. Many begin by replacing one meal at a time so they can learn new habits, try out new foods or preparation methods, and finding a balance that works for them. Sugary sodas is high on the list of things to cut back on. My personal rule: drink one soda, follow with one full glass of water - no exceptions. But, this isn't to say that an occasional snack is forever forbidden. By following the best practices in brushing, flossing and dental visits, even a calorie ridden sugary dessert won't set you back as long as the practice of moderation is observed.
8) Yes, chew sugarless gum! Studies have suggested that chewing sugarless gum can actually serve to remove food particles from your teeth between brushing and flossing. This is ideal when you're at the office and don't have a toothbrush handy following lunch. Easy to incorporate this one into your daily routine!
9) Water is good for your dental health. We all know that drinking water is good for us, but let's face it, tap water doesn't always taste good and we've been conditioned to question "what's in our water". Bottled water gets expensive and doesn't contain fluoride. Not only will a water filter save you money, but water filters can remove minerals and deposits that make drinking tap water taste unpleasant for many. Water filters can be simple screw on your tap to elaborate whole-home filtering systems. Even a good filtered pitcher will deliver water you'll love to drink. Invest in a water filter for better dental health.
10) Don't share glasses and utensils. Bacteria can easily be passed from mouth to mouth by using the same drinking glass, spoon, fork or other utensils. Many people don't think about this when sharing with a loved one or family member, but for the best oral hygiene don't pass contagious bacteria that can cause tooth decay and lead to cavities.
To sum it up, see if you can add these simple things to your daily life: brush, floss, drink water, eat as healthy as possible, chew sugarless gum (between brushing and/or following sugary snacks), and use your own cups and utensils! Follow with a visit to your dentist twice a year. That's not too hard to take is it?
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