Cavities are small gaps or holes in the hard surface of your teeth that are permanently damaged. Cavities, also known as tooth decay or caries, are caused by various factors, including bacteria in the mouth, frequent chewing, consuming sugary drinks, and not fully cleaning your teeth. Cavities and dental decay are two of the most frequent health issues worldwide. Children, teens, and elderly persons are more susceptible. Cavities may affect anybody with teeth, including newborns. Cavities that aren’t addressed become larger and harm deeper layers of your teeth if they aren’t treated. They can cause a lot of pain, infection, and tooth loss. Your best defense against cavities and tooth decay is to find a dentist and pay regular dental appointments along with proper brushing and flossing routines.
Here are certain ways to prevent dental problems from occurring
- After eating or drinking, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste – Brush your teeth with fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, ideally after each meal. Floss or use an interdental cleaner to clean between your teeth. Apply mild pressure and brush with a soft-bristled toothbrush to limit the risk of gingival damage. Brush your gums at a 45-degree angle with your toothbrush. Brush the teeth’ outer inner and chewing surfaces lightly back and forth in short (tooth-wide) strokes. Using a gentle up-and-down stroke, clean the inside surfaces of the front teeth with the brush’s tip.
- Rinse your mouth – Do you desire a morning latte, a daily cup of coffee, or a steaming cup of tea? The problem with drinking coffee that contains cavity-causing additions like sugar, syrups, and cream is that the sugars linger in your mouth for a long time. To combat this, drink enough water and other beverages to rinse your mouth and avoid saliva from getting excessively sugary and damaging your teeth. If your dentist believes you have a high risk of cavities, he or she may advise you to use a fluoride mouth rinse. Antiseptic chemicals are used in certain rinses to aid in the killing of germs that produce plaque.
- Give up smoking – 16 million people in the United States suffer from a disease induced by smoking. It is commonly known that smoking and tobacco consumption can lead to various health issues. Smoking causes illness and suffering in practically every organ of the body, and over 16 million Americans suffer from a smoking-related ailment. Most individuals, however, are unaware of the dangers that smoking and chewing tobacco bring to the mouth, gums, and teeth. Smoking may cause more than simply stains on your teeth; it can also cause gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer.
- Snacking and drinking regularly should be avoided – You help your oral bacteria produce acids that can harm tooth enamel whenever you eat or drink something other than water. Your teeth are constantly attacked if you munch or drink throughout the day. Limit snacking and eat healthy and balanced meals. Carbohydrates like candies, pretzels, and chips can stick to your teeth and cause decay. If you eat sticky meals, wash your teeth right away.
- Dental sealants are a good option – A sealant is a plastic covering that is put to the chewing surfaces of back teeth to protect them. It closes off food-collecting grooves and nooks, protecting tooth enamel from plaque and acid. Sealants are recommended for all school-aged children by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Sealants can last for years before being renewed, but they must be examined regularly.
- Consider fluoride treatments – Speak with your dentist about using fluoride supplements to strengthen your teeth. Periodic fluoride treatments may be recommended by your dentist, especially if you aren’t getting enough fluoride through fluoridated drinking water or other sources. If your risk of tooth decay is really high, he or she may additionally propose special trays that fit over your teeth for the application of prescription fluoride.
- Make flossing a habit – We understand that no one enjoys flossing. Consider this: our teeth have five sides, and each one has to be cleaned regularly. We only clean three of those sides even though we brush every day. Brushing alone will only clean around half of the surface of your teeth if you don’t floss. And keep in mind that flossing takes only a few minutes every day – what else can you do in only a few minutes to boost your dental health so substantially? Consider it a form of multitasking,’ which we all like. Flossing while watching TV or reading a book in bed is a good idea. Flossing should be done just after a meal or right before night, much like cleaning your teeth.
