5 Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay
Posted January 28, 2020 in Tooth Decay4 Min Read
We all desire to achieve a beautiful, white smile that can be spotted from across the room. The cornerstone of that great grin is a mouth full of healthy teeth.
Unfortunately, as far too many men and women know, that dream-worthy smile can be challenging to achieve.
So, how do you attain that noteworthy set of teeth?
The first step to realizing (and maintaining) the smile of your dreams is to eliminate any tooth decay that may have developed and stop new tooth decay from forming.
Prevention is the most practical and cost-effective way to realize your optimal dental health.
What Causes Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay, which is more commonly referred to as cavities or dental caries, is one of the most significant threats to the functional and cosmetic health of your teeth.
Tooth decay develops when plaque (from bacteria) sticks to the surface of your teeth and is not promptly removed. Like gum disease, tooth decay results from bacterial infections, poor nutrition, and subpar oral hygiene.
The good news is that teeth decay is entirely preventable.
How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay at Home?
1. Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day
Your very first lesson in oral hygiene was probably the importance of brushing your teeth. The benefits of this practice are just as real now as when you were a kid.
Whether you are using an Oral-B® Genius electric toothbrush or a good ol’ manual toothbrush, religious brushing practices are your first and most reliable defense against the bacteria that leads to plaque and subsequent tooth decay.
By brushing twice a day (preferably after meals), you can dislodge and eliminate bacteria from getting stuck and festering on the tooth surface.
2. Floss Every Day
While brushing is the essential at-home dental hygiene practice, flossing comes in at a close second. Flossing reaches the nooks and crannies between your teeth that a brush cannot, and it rids your mouth of even more potentially harmful plaque deposits.
Ideally, you should clean between your teeth at least once a day with traditional floss, interdental cleaners, or water flossers (such as the Waterpik®).
3. Avoid Excess Sugars
Avoiding excess sugars goes beyond skipping that caramel-filling candy at the movie theaters and that extra slice of chocolate cake at dessert.
Proper nutrition is essential to your oral health. Eating a balanced diet and limiting unhealthy snacking will help to limit tooth decay by lessening the amount of harmful sugars in your mouth.
And like anything, moderation is key. No one can or will say no to sweet indulgences all of the time—nor should you. The key is to make sure you take care of your teeth as well.
4. Stay Hydrated
Water will keep you (and the lining of your mouth) hydrated and will help rinse food particles out of your mouth to prevent bacteria from forming between your teeth and in the crevices of your mouth.
Sipping sugary beverages—such as juice, sports drinks, and soda—does not do you any favors either. Not only do these options not hydrate you, but they are full of empty calories and excess sugars that cling to your teeth and get right to work breaking down your enamel.
5. Visit Dr. Tomazin Regularly
Even the most diligent at-home dental practices can suffer when they are not paired with regularly scheduled dental exams and cleanings. A deep cleaning at your dentist’s office is no ordinary clean. It delves much deeper than what is possible at home and targets the bacteria and plaque that brushing and flossing leave behind.
By visiting your dentist twice a year, you can feel confident that any tooth decay that manages to develop will be handled quickly and correctly. This helps to prevent unwanted dental pain, functional concerns, cosmetic worries, and unexpected dental costs.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Chad Tomazin?
Dr. Chad Tomazin offers general and cosmetic dentistry services for patients in the Inland Empire. He is SMART certified (for the safe removal of mercury fillings) and a believer and practitioner of biological dentistry, a non-universally practiced concept in dentistry that strives to put the patient’s overall health above all else. Dr. Tomazin seeks out and applies treatments and practices that create the least toxicity and potential harm to your health.
With Dr. Tomazin, you can rest assured that you are not only going to maintain (or achieve) a healthy smile, but you can also accomplish that smile with the least amount of threat to your overall health.
Interested in Learning More?
If you would like to learn more about at-home tips for a healthy mouth, contact Dr. Chad Tomazin by calling (951) 686-3666 or by filling out our online contact form.