Cavity Prevention Advice for Everyone

Do you sometimes feel like it’s okay to be a little lazy about your dental health care every now and then? While you may not think it’s such a big deal to skip out on routinely taking care of your oral health, neglecting routine dental care tasks can lead to several negative impacts on your overall health. Having tooth decay and cavities can make it more likely that you develop serious health problems. Preventing them from happening is imperative. If you’d like to know where to start, you can learn all about the causes behind tooth decay and how you can effectively prevent cavities right here.

Cavities form when the bacteria the lives inside of your mouth converts particles of food into a certain type of acid. This acid combines with the bacteria to form plaque, which is the culprit behind tooth decay. Cavities happen when the tooth’s enamel becomes weakened by the acid. Luckily, your family dentist can assist you when it comes to treating any cavities that you may have.

Smaller cavities typically require fillings. Larger cavities usually need to have a crown placed over the affected tooth. If your tooth decay has led to the pulp inside of your tooth becoming infected, you will probably need to have a root canal.

Prevent Cavities with These Tips

Becoming lazy about taking care of your dental health can lead to serious consequences. Establishing healthy dental habits, like brushing your teeth twice a day, can keep you from eventually losing your teeth. It can also lower your risk of developing tooth decay and gum disease. Adhering to basic standards of dental care alongside seeing your dentist in South Bend regularly can decrease your risk of developing serious health problems. Use these helpful tips to ensure your dental health isn’t neglected.

1. Brush your teeth a minimum of twice a day. Whenever you brush your teeth, you should use a toothpaste containing fluoride. You should brush for approximately two minutes. To best ensure your dental health is protected, you can brush after every meal or snack. Failing this, you should rinse out your mouth with water after eating.
2. Use mouthwash twice a day. After you’ve brushed your teeth, use a fluoride mouthwash to rinse out your mouth.
3. Routinely visit your dentist in South Bend. Most dentists recommend that you receive a dental exam and professional cleaning once every six months. If you have a history of dental health issues or have a case in need of more attention, your family dentist may suggest that you visit more frequently.
4. Think about getting dental sealants. Sealants are applied to the teeth and seal off the nooks and crannies within your teeth that can trap food particles. Sealing these grooves off helps prevent tooth decay. Sealants can often last up to ten years.
5. Drink tap water. Fluoride is added to most municipal water supplies. If you haven’t been drinking the tap water in your town, consider doing so. It can help protect your teeth! In addition to this, water makes you produce more saliva, which means more bacteria will be washed away from your mouth.
6. Consume tooth-healthy foods. While it may seem hard to believe, there are foods you can eat that can increase your protection from decay. Some of these foods include cheese, fruits and vegetables, unsweetened beverages and sugar-free gum.
7. Chat with your dentist. If you have any questions about what you should be doing to prevent tooth decay and cavities, don’t be afraid to talk to your dentist. He or she will be able to make specific recommendations that will benefit you and your dental health.

Options for Treating Cavities

While cavities are no laughing matter, there are several options available for treating them. Additionally, there are exciting new advancements in technology that could allow dentists to detect when and where tooth decay is taking place.

Fillings

Smaller cavities are most often treated with fillings. This simple procedure is performed by your dentist, who will remove the decayed part of the tooth and replace it with a filling.

Crowns

Crowns are frequently utilized to treat large cavities that can’t be effectively treated with fillings. Also called a cap, a crown is placed over the tooth. This cap allows the tooth to return to its original shape and size.

Root Canal

When decay and infection spreads to the pulp of the tooth, a root canal is often necessary. This routine procedure is performed by your family dentist, who removes the pulp and the nerve of the tooth. He or she then seals the roots.

Recent research shows promising developments in technology that could help dentists detect tooth decay before cavities begin forming. One of these developments is a tool consisting of a fluorescent light. This tool allows dentists to see tooth decay before it is visible to the naked eye, allowing them to apply sealant or fluoride supplements to the tooth to prevent further decay. Another type of treatment is a tooth filling that releases fluoride in the area surrounding the decaying tooth. This prevents decay from spreading to nearby teeth.

Of course, the best thing you can do in to prevent decay and cavities from occurring is to establish excellent dental hygiene habits. Brushing your teeth twice daily and seeing your dentist on a routine basis will assist you in keeping your teeth healthy. Your dentist in South Bend can help you establish a dental health regimen that meets your unique needs. You can also eat a diet that supports healthy teeth. This includes not eating excessive portions of sweets and carbohydrates. Now that you’ve become educated on the basics of good cavity prevention, you can begin your journey towards optimal dental health.