Good Cavity Prevention Tips Can Help Preserve Your Smile

When we were children, we wanted to avoid developing cavities (aka dental caries) because toothaches were so painful. Yet despite those experiences, most of us never really understood how to brush and floss correctly, since cavities kept occurring. Whether because teenagers never developed good habits or have difficulty cleaning around braces, 57% of them have had a cavity in their permanent teeth, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Among adults 20 and older, 90% have had at least one cavity and a quarter of those 20-64 current do.

Cavities can Contribute to Further Problems

Cavities can lead to even worse things than a hole in the enamel of teeth that needs to be filled before it gets larger and more painful. The decay can result in a tooth’s root becoming infected and requiring root canal surgery to clean it out. Or it can kill the entire tooth and need to be extracted. A periodontal (gum) infection that gets started when teeth are not thoroughly brushed and flossed can result in teeth falling out.

The good news is that all this can be prevented if you follow these tips:

1. Be sure that you brush after breakfast to clean not only the food you have eaten, but the bacteria that accumulate on the teeth, gums, and tongue overnight. Stroke both sides of each tooth starting at the gum line and moving to the top, as well as the surfaces of the molars in the back, taking two minutes total and repeat this after your last snack at night (when you also need to floss–if you are not sure how to do this effectively, ask your dental hygienist to show you; she may recommend adding a water flosser, small pick for tight crevices, or a dentist-grade mouthwash to your routine).
2. Have a professional exam and cleaning by your hygienist every 3-6 months, depending on how healthy your teeth and gums are.
3. Have a full dental exam by Dr. Pour twice a year, so that he can detect cavities and other oral health issues early (including infections in the jawbone and oral cancer).
4. Drink more water (especially if it is fluoridated, as most tap water is), since this stimulates production of saliva, which fights periodontal bacteria.
5. Eat more vegetables, fruits, healthy fats, proteins, and complex carbohydrates, such as seeds, nuts, peas, beans, and whole grains (this means avoiding the whites that stick to the teeth and cause cavities and gum disease: refined flour, rice, pasta, pizza, and sugar, substituting Xylitol to sweeten, since it also fights oral bacteria).

Preserve Your Smile Today

If you have not had a hygienic cleaning or a dental exam recently, call Garden Grove Dental & Orthodontics today to set an appointment for both.