Teeth – unlike bone or other tissues, cannot heal on their own. If cavities are not treated early on by a dentist, they will worsen, which could lead to painful infections and tooth loss. Our family dentistry practice offers preventive and restorative care to patients of all ages.
The best way to treat cavities is to prevent them. Following are the top five ways you can prevent tooth decay.
Reduce Sugar Consumption
Did you know that sugar feeds cavity-causing bacteria? Our mouths are home to millions of harmful oral bacteria. When tooth enamel is weak, these bacteria will feed on sugar and ultimately, our teeth. Reducing your consumption of sugar helps starve cavity-causing bacteria. Be sure to check food labels as sugar comes in many forms, including fructose, fruit concentrate, maltose, dextrose, and many more.
Limit Acidic Foods and Beverages
Another common threat to your pearly whites is acidic foods and beverages. Strong acids weaken tooth enamel by stripping away its minerals. Unfortunately, many food items contain acids as their main ingredients or as a preservative. Common acidic items you should shy away from include citrus, sodas, and alcoholic beverages.
Do Not Chew Inedible Objects or Grind Your Teeth
Many of us chew on pen caps, our nails, and even ice cubes to cope with stress, pain, and anxiety. Others may also grind their teeth as a response to these emotions. Chewing on inedible objects and grinding our teeth will destroy tooth enamel over time. Permanent damage to tooth enamel greatly increases our risks for dental cavities.
Practice Great Oral Hygiene
Your daily oral hygiene routine can protect your teeth for a lifetime. When brushing and flossing, take a mindful approach to help ensure that you use good techniques. Every person over the age of five should be brushing twice a day and flossing each night.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Routine dental visits give our team a chance to detect potential concerns as soon as possible. Frequent checkups and cleanings give us an opportunity to provide preventive care like fluoride treatments and sealants before cavities form. Early-stage decay can be treated with small, minimally-invasive restorations, too.
Call our family dentistry practice to schedule your next cleaning and checkup.
