Top 10 Tips to Prevent Cavities

Dealing with cavities can be a pain and negatively impact someone's lifestyle. Cavities result from tooth decay, leading to serious dental issues like abscesses, gum disease and the total loss of a tooth. As a general rule, earlier cavity detection makes the treatment easier and cheaper. Here are ways to help you keep your teeth healthy.

10 simple things you can do to keep your teeth free of cavities

1. Brush twice daily

Brushing only take a few minutes of the day, but it is one of the most effective ways to keep the teeth and gums healthy. Dentists typically recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles to minimize the damage to the enamel.  People also need to make sure one of the times they brush is right before bed since the teeth are more vulnerable to decay while asleep.

2. Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride

Fluoride helps to strengthen and re-mineralize the enamel – which serves as a protective barrier for your teeth. Make sure to brush daily with a toothpaste that contains at least 1000ppm of fluoride. If someone is more prone to cavities than the average person, find something with a higher concentration.

3. Floss daily

Flossing serves the same purpose as brushing: removing food particles and plaque from the teeth before tooth decay begins. Make sure to floss at least once every day.

4. Use an antibacterial mouthwash

A quality mouthwash will help clean the places in the mouth a toothbrush or dental floss cannot reach. It will also lower the bacteria count in a person's mouth. The fewer bacteria in the mouth, the fewer acids.

5. Consider dental sealants

For those prone to tooth decay, a dental sealant can offer extra protection. Dental sealants are plastic coatings that go on the chewing surfaces of the teeth in the back of a person's mouth to prevent tooth decay. Dental sealants can be effective for up to 10 years, making them a great investment.

6. Drink lots of water

Drinking lots of water are good for oral and overall health. Water washes away acids and food particles in the mouth, while also being a good source of fluoride since public water supply systems tend to be fluoridated nowadays.

7. Enjoy sugar-free gum

The American Dental Association states that chewing sugarless gum increases saliva production. Saliva is alkaline in nature, so it helps to neutralize any acids in the mouth. It also washes food particles and other debris away.

8. Eat foods that are good for your teeth

The teeth need essential elements like fluoride and calcium to remain healthy so consume foods that are rich in these. Green leafy vegetables and dairy products are great sources of calcium.

9. Avoid sugar

Sugar is bad for teeth and overall health. It is highly acidic and wreaks havoc on the teeth.

10. Visit a dentist twice a year

Visiting a dentist twice a year allows you to deal with any developing cavities before major damage is done to your teeth.

Want more tips on preventing cavities? Contact one of our dentists today.

Request an appointment in our Peabody dentist office here: https://www.northside-dentalcare.com.