Cavities, also known as tooth decay, may cost you pain and deny you a healthy smile. Tooth decay can affect anyone, including toddlers. Regular intake of soft drinks, unhealthy eating habits, and poor oral hygiene will bring tooth decay by causing plaque and bacteria to pile up. The best thing is that you can protect your teeth against cavities by establishing a nice dental hygiene routine. Read and follow the tips below for sparkling results.

1. Tap water is excellent—drink some

Tap water has fluoride, which naturally fights cavities. Research indicates that fluoridation prevents 25% of cavities in adults and children. Additionally, fluoride strengthens your teeth and makes them resistant to tooth decay.

You might have come across controversies surrounding fluoridation. Still, most credible health associations such as the American Dental Association (ADA), American Public Health Association, Centers for Disease Control Prevention (CDC) endorses it. Tap water is accessible locally. So take a break from bottled water, try tap water, and make your teeth healthier.

2. Regularly brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste

Does your toothpaste contain fluoride? Brushing your teeth with fluoride toothpaste guarantees you cavity-free teeth. It also prevents the growth of oral bacteria, which are harmful to your teeth, and rebuilds your teeth that might have grown weak after exposure to bacteria.

3. Have regular dental check-ups

They say prevention is better than cure. That is why you need to establish a routine dental check-up with a professional. Through frequent oral examinations, a dentist can spot any issues affecting your teeth early and hinder further damage. Find a qualified dentist today and schedule your first appointment. Remember to make it a routine for healthier teeth and gums.

4. Use a mouth rinse

Cleaning your mouth with a mouth rinse that contains fluoride prevents tooth decay. There are many mouth rinses in drugstores, including over-the-counter prescriptions. They serve various purposes, and you should want to know which one is best to prevent cavities.

It is essential that you get a recommendation from your dentist. You might also want to check if it has an ADA seal to show the approval of dental experts. Although mouth rinses can benefit almost everyone, they are not suitable for children under six years, for they are likely to swallow them.

5. Stay away from frequent snacking

Eating habits and food choices have consequences which include tooth decay. Regular snacking on sugary drinks such as energy drinks, cookies, candy expose your teeth to cavities. Bacteria in your mouth will naturally feed on the sugars to produce acid, making holes in your teeth. If you must snack, choose those that have minimal or zero sugars to keep your teeth healthy.

6. Try dental sealants

You might be wondering, ‘what is a dental sealant?’ It refers to a coating that is painted on the chewing surface of your molars to prevent cavities. Dental sealants shield your tooth enamel from acid and plaque by sealing grooves and crannies that are likely to gather food. Research by the CDC records that dental sealants protect teeth against cavities up to 80% for two years and 50% for four years. Visit a dental professional and find out if you need dental sealants.

7. Healthy eating means healthy teeth

Some foods and drinks are healthy for your teeth while others might cause you damage, like cavities. Foods rich in calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin C (spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, citrus fruits, etc.) make your teeth and gums stronger.

Beverages such as unsweetened coffee and tea could help in washing away food that remains in your teeth. If you can, stay away from foods that may stick in the grooves/pits of your teeth for long.

8. A combination of treatments might help

Two is better than one. Combining an antibacterial rinse with a fluoride prescription could prevent your teeth from tooth decay. Whereas an antibacterial mouth rinse kills bacteria that make your teeth prone to tooth decay, fluoride makes your teeth strong and resistant to bacteria. Also, this 2018 study shows that chewing gum containing xylitol or consuming other confectionaries with plenty of xylitol could help you prevent cavities.

9. Make inquiries on antibacterial treatments

You’re likely to get a recommendation for antibacterial treatment if you are prone to tooth decay. An antibacterial mouth rinse protects your teeth from plaque and removes food particles from their hiding places so that it becomes easier to get rid of them while brushing your teeth. This treatment also inhibits bacteria from harming your teeth, thus preventing cavities.

10. Have a flossing routine

Apart from brushing your teeth every day, you should also consider dental flossing. For this, you can use a floss threader, dental tape, or waxed floss for ten to fifteen minutes. The choice of your flossing tool depends on how broad or tightly-spaced your teeth are, your preference, and if you have braces. Dental flossing prevents cavities by removing plaque, bacteria, and food particles from your teeth. Start your flossing routine to keep your teeth free of decay.

11. Avoid too much smoking

Excessive smoking could cause tooth decay. For instance, when you smoke tobacco, there’s bacterial plaque and tartar production, which affects your gums. As a result, your teeth develop infections that may result in cavities.

12. Try oil pulling

You do oil pulling by swishing a small amount of coconut or sesame oil in your mouth for approximately twenty minutes and spitting it out after that. Even though there lacks sufficient research to support this claim, oil pulling has proven to reduce the compilation of plaque and bacteria that might lead to cavities. It serves a similar function as that of a mouthwash.

Conclusion

Maintaining dental hygiene should be part of your routine. Follow these tips by ensuring that you brush your teeth regularly, visit a dentist, apply dental floss, avoid or quit smoking if you can, eat healthily, use fluoride-based toothpaste, and much more. You will protect your teeth from cavities by establishing this routine. Contact All About Smile Dental Group for more dental health tips and inquiries, and pick your appointment date.