Cavity Prevention Tips

To prevent dental caries and cavities, it is important to keep teeth and gums clean and free of disease causing bacteria. With proper brushing and flossing home care and routine professional cleanings, it is possible to prevent tooth decay in between dental exams.

Brushing
When you eat, sugars and starches tend to stick on the surface of the teeth, or take up residence in the tight spaces between the teeth. Bacteria that naturally exists within the mouth break the sugar and starches down, creating an acid that can erode teeth creating the cavity in tooth enamel.

To help get rid of the food and clean away any sticky residue, the American Dental Association recommends brushing teeth at least twice a day, and preferably after each meal. By using a fluoride toothpaste when brushing you are further strengthening the tooth’s enamel, replacing lost minerals, and helping to repair the minor damage done in the early stages of decay.

TIP – If you are not able to clean your teeth after eating, consider rinsing your mouth with water or chewing sugar-free gum to help remove remaining food debris from your teeth.

Flossing
Flossing makes it possible to remove debris and dental plaque from the tight spaces between teeth, especially teeth that are misaligned, crooked or unevenly spaced, which are susceptible to cavities. Flossing after meals will help prevent plaque build-up to avoid gum disease.

TIP - Inter-dental cleaners are available in various forms, including flosses, brushes, and picks for easy dental care throughout the day. 

Nutrition and Snacking
Tooth decay is often a cause of eating foods that are high in carbohydrates and simple sugars, such as candy, potato chips, and cookies. Avoid eating food that can get easily stuck in the natural grooves and cavities of the teeth and instead eat tooth-friendly foods, like fruit and vegetables. Chewing sugar-free gum, and drinking water are good ways of increasing saliva flow, flushing out the mouth and removing unwanted food particles.

TIP – Avoid hard candy, especially lollipops, if you cannot brush immediately afterward. These sugary sweets take time to dissolve creating a longer contact period with your teeth and gums, a bacterium’s dream world as it feeds off the sugary goodness.

Dental Sealants
Dental sealants – also known as pit and fissure sealants – are thin protective coatings of plastic that seal the grooves and crevices of the natural tooth, preventing the opportunity for decay. Sealants are usually applied to the back teeth (molars); the coating prevents the enamel from acidic erosion and can last up to ten years.

TIP – Most dentists offer this preventive techniques to children. Check with your dentist if they have sealants available for adults. The coating has a long life, but will not last forever; a reapplication might help you out especially if you have soft teeth or are medically prone to tooth decay.

Fluoride Treatment
Fluoride is available in various formats, from toothpastes and rinses, to professional concentrated fluoride delivery. Dentists and hygienists often offer professional fluoride treatments in-house in the form of a dental gel, foam, or solution. The treatment is applied to the enamel using a swab and is usually over after only a few minutes.

TIP – If you are going to have your children take fluoride supplements purchased elsewhere, talk to your dentist beforehand about amounts and length of use. Excessive fluoride can create white spots or streaks on developing teeth, called fluorisis. 

As with all dental issues, the best in cavity prevention advice comes from your dental professional. Your dentist or hygienist at Lake Dental Clinic can custom design cavity prevention techniques and treatment plans to address your specific issues, budget and lifestyle. Contact our Camdenton dental office today!