Our goal is to keep our teeth healthy and strong, but cavities often keep us from that goal. If you’ve had a cavity, you know how uncomfortable they are. If left untreated, cavities can cause pain, discoloration, and even tooth loss.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent new cavities from forming. Below are tips on implementing simple oral hygiene practices to prevent cavities.
Get Into the Habit of Flossing
Besides brushing your teeth, flossing is an integral part of preventive oral health care. It’s easy to forget to floss, but you should do it daily to help keep your teeth and gums healthy. Flossing removes plaque from between your teeth. And it helps to prevent cavities and gum disease.
When you floss, use a gentle sawing motion to move the floss up and down the sides of your teeth. It’s also essential to floss behind your back teeth. It’s easy to forget this part of your mouth, but you can’t. Unfortunately, it’s prone to plaque and cavities. So, remember to make flossing a daily habit to keep those cavities away.
Cut Back on Sugary and Acidic Drinks
Another way to prevent cavities is by cutting back on sugary and acidic drinks like sodas, energy drinks, and fruit juices. These drinks can erode tooth enamel and increase your risk of cavities. To replace these drinks, consider drinking more water.
If you drink sugary or acidic drinks, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth. Then, after drinking, brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water to further reduce your risk.
Drink More Water
Drinking water is one of the best ways to prevent cavities. Water helps to wash away food particles and bacteria that can lead to cavities. It also contains fluoride – a mineral that helps strengthen tooth enamel and fight bacteria.
Water also helps to stimulate saliva production. Having enough saliva is vital for fighting bacteria.
Drinking plenty of water can also reduce the sugar content in the mouth. So, naturally, less sugar reduces the risk of tooth decay and cavities.
Staying hydrated is also crucial for keeping the mouth moist. Keeping your mouth wet prevents bad breath and cavities from developing.
Drinking more water is an easy way to keep your mouth in excellent shape.
Consider Supplemental Fluoride
Supplemental fluoride reduces the risk of cavities. It also helps protect tooth enamel. If you want to increase your fluoride intake, you can find it in many foods, beverages, and toothpaste. It is also available in a variety of supplements. For example, you can get it through drops, tablets, and lozenges.
A supplemental fluoride is an excellent option if you don’t have access to fluoridated water or want an additional boost of fluoride. Talk to your dentist to determine if supplemental fluoride is the right choice for your oral health needs.
Stop Smoking
Do you or your loved ones smoke? Unfortunately, smoking can have a detrimental effect on your oral health. Staying away from smoking is one of the best ways to avoid cavities.
Smoking reduces the amount of saliva in the mouth. So this means there’s less saliva to rinse away food particles and bacteria. With more bacteria, your risk for cavities and gum disease increase. And both of which can lead to cavities.
Quitting smoking can help to reduce your risk of cavities by improving your mouth health. Additionally, quitting smoking is beneficial for your overall health. It decreases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer. Therefore, avoiding smoking is imperative to prevent cavities and other health issues.
Learn Your Family Genetics
Your family genetics tell you a lot about your oral health. Knowing your family’s genetics is vital to understanding your risk level for cavities. If you have a family history of cavities or tooth decay, you may be at a higher risk. So, work hard to care for your dental health to ward them off.
Chew Sugar-Free Gum
If you like having something in your mouth, consider chewing sugar-free gum. It’s much better than chewing gum with sugar. Plus, chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help produce saliva and wash away food particles.
Invest in a Soft-bristled Toothbrush
When it comes to avoiding cavities, investing in a soft-bristled toothbrush is a must. Soft-bristled toothbrushes help to gently clean your teeth without over-scrubbing and causing damage. Plus, they conserve tooth enamel and reduce the risk of gum recession. Regular brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush is crucial to any oral health routine.
Conclusion
Regular preventive care is a critical component of keeping your teeth healthy. JS Dental Lab offers more tips on prioritizing your oral hygiene.
In summary, make a point to see your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings. It’ll help identify dental issues before they become more serious and costly.
In addition to regular check-ups, practice good oral hygiene habits at home. For example, brush and floss daily, use fluoride toothpaste, and avoid sugary foods and drinks. Following these tips can protect your teeth from cavities and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.