What exactly is tooth decay?
The inside of our mouths are full of bacteria. Some of these bacteria are helpful but some of them are harmful and need to be managed in order to prevent them from decaying our teeth. Certain types of bacteria feed on the sugars in our mouth (from food that we have eaten) and use them to produce acid. It is this acid which causes teeth to deteriorate and eventually decay.
What can I do to prevent this?
If you want to know what you can do to prevent tooth decay, read on for our top tips for keeping your teeth in tip-top condition
1. Floss regularly
Brushing is an important part of maintaining good dental health but without flossing it will not be enough to beat cavities. Brushing alone can cause plaque to be pushed between the crevices in the teeth and even below the gum line, which in dental terms is not good news. Regular flossing removes the plaque from just below the gum line too and ensures that no plaque or food waste is left between teeth, no matter how small
2. Visit your dentist for check-ups
Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups is essential if you wish to keep cavity free. Your dentist will be able to remove excess plaque from the teeth and advise you on keeping cavity causing bacteria at bay. If possible you should visit your dentist at least every six months.
3. Use Fluoride
Fluoride prevents tooth decay by protecting teeth and from reducing the ability of harmful bacteria in the mouth to produce acid. It is commonly added to water in areas where there are a high number of tooth decay suffers, although if you are not in these areas you can choose to use fluoride yourself anyway. You can brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, or your dentist can help by coating your teeth in a fluoride gel. It can also be found in mouthwashes and even in tablet form.
4. Limit your sugar intake
We all know that eating sweets and chocolates can be harmful to teeth, but many of us are less aware that sugars in fruit and other foods can be just as harmful. Be aware that any product that lists glucose, sucrose, fructose or dextrose. These are all types of sugar and can all have a negative impact on your teeth.
If you would like to make an appointment to check for cavities please get in touch. A member of our team will be only too happy to help.