Great Cavity Prevention Tips That Benefit Everyone

Keeping your teeth and gums healthy is something that requires you to keep a regular dental care routine. This is a routine that you can’t get lax on. Otherwise, your oral hygiene will suffer as a result. Failing to keep up with your dental care routine can lead to not only cavities but also the development of serious health concerns.

Thankfully, following some cavity prevention tips can help you avoid getting cavities. What’s a cavity? It’s a hole that develops in a tooth as a result of decay. The hole is the result of bacteria coming into contact with food and producing acid. As the bacteria interact with the acid, plaque forms, which leads to tooth decay.

Once you develop a cavity, visiting your Suwanee dentist is your only course of action. However, there are some habits that you can develop at home to prevent the formation of cavities altogether.

Tips for Preventing Cavities

Many people mistakenly believe that it’s no big deal to skip a tooth brushing here and there. However, the harm that it causes to their teeth is worse than they know. Most cavities can be completely prevented with good oral hygiene. There are always cases in which cavities can’t be avoided, but the vast majority are preventable. Here are a few tips that can keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy.

1. Remember to Brush Often

This tip is one that most people already know, but brushing twice a day is one of the best ways to prevent cavities. Many of us learned this when we were in school, and the tip still checks out today. While brushing twice a day is good, you should really be brushing after every snack and meal if you want to prevent cavities.

Don’t have time to brush after every snack? Try chewing some sugar-free gum. It will break up food particles in your mouth and promote saliva production, which can wash away bacteria.

2. Use a Fluoride Mouthwash

Brushing alone isn’t enough to keep your mouth happy and your teeth strong. That’s why it’s recommended that you add a fluoride mouthwash to your oral care routine as well. The fluoride will strengthen your teeth and prevent cavities. Always use fluoride rinse after brushing your teeth to get the maximum benefit.

3. Commit to Regular Dental Visits

Despite what you do at home to prevent cavities, you still need to visit your Suwanee dentist from time to time. Professional dental staff can perform oral exams and advanced teeth cleanings, preventing problems before they become expensive and painful to treat. Generally, you should schedule an appointment to meet with your dentist at least twice a year. If you have any underlying issues that might make cavities more likely, you may want to visit your dentist more frequently.

4. Get Dental Sealants

If you really want to give yourself a fighting chance against cavities, talk to your Suwanee dentist about sealants. The goal of sealants is to seal off small grooves in your teeth where food can become trapped. By sealing off these grooves, food won’t get trapped and your chances of developing cavities will be lower.

5. Reach for a Glass of Tap Water

The majority of cities in the United States put fluoride in their tap water. Just as fluoride rinse strengthens your teeth, so does drinking tap water. Unfortunately, many people choose bottled water to drink. The next time you want some water, consider getting a glass of tap water instead. Simply drinking this water is enough to remineralize your teeth.

6. Eat Foods That Support Healthy Teeth

You can eat certain foods that are healthy for your teeth. Fresh fruits, vegetables and cheeses can all promote tooth health. Also, some beverages can keep your teeth healthy. For instance, tea and unsweetened coffee fight off the bacteria that can cause cavities.

7. Discuss Your Routine With Your Dentist

You don’t have to fight this war on cavities alone. Your Suwanee dentist is here to help and may know some other things that you can do to keep your smile free of cavities and even improve your oral health.

Treatments in the Event You Get a Cavity

If you find yourself with a cavity, there’s no need to fear. Plenty of options have been around a long time to treat cavities. Additionally, new techniques are being developed all the time to prevent cavities from ever forming.

Root Canals

The most complicated option to deal with cavities is root canals. That said, root canals are only necessary when tooth decay reaches the tooth pulp. Once this happens, your dentist will have to remove the damaged pulp and reseal the teeth.

Fillings

The most common way to deal with cavities is to get fillings. With fillings, the dentist removes the decay from your teeth and replaces it with tooth-safe materials. Keep in mind, however, that fillings only work well for small cavities.

Crowns

If you have any large cavities, fillings simply may not work. Instead, you may need a crown. A crown is basically a cap that goes over your teeth. They help teeth keep their normal size and shape after all the decay has been removed and prevent issues from returning. Crown can cost a bit more than fillings, but in some cases, they’re the only option.

Schedule a Dental Appointment

Don’t fool yourself into thinking that brushing once a day will be enough to keep your teeth and gums happy and healthy. You need to be brushing at least twice a day. On top of that, it helps if you remember to floss and use a fluoride rinse every day. These practices can help ensure that you don’t get cavities.

Furthermore, you still have to visit your Suwanee dentist. Doing so is affordable and a great way to avoid developing even worse problems that require costly dental procedures. In between visits, the tips above will go a long way in helping your teeth and gums stay healthy.