The rate at which our patients accumulate decay, also known as cavities, is something that all dentists face as a challenge that is difficult to overcome. When it comes to the state of your oral health, it is most likely one of your greatest concerns as well. Going to the dentist and being told that you have a cavity has got to be one of the most dreaded experiences ever, right? No one! Because cavities are such a significant issue that can have an impact on your entire health and wellness, I thought it would be helpful to discuss some things that you can do to assist in preventing cavities and any other type of tooth decay from developing. I don't care if you find some of these pointers to be common sense; but, I do want you to realize that the information presented here is accurate. Therefore, if you desire teeth that are healthy and free from cavities, you should make sure to apply the advice from this blog post into your daily life.
Allow me to begin by explaining the process of cavity formation, in the event that you are unfamiliar with it. An oral cavity develops when an acidic environment (pH level of 5.5 or below) is generated in the mouth, and bacteria then begin to eat away at the enamel that covers the teeth of the affected individual. If the cavity is not treated, it can result in more significant dental problems as well as health problems; thus, I want to assist you in preventing cavities before they even begin to develop in your teeth.
Now that we have everything out of the way, let's go over these 6 steps one by one!
The first step that you need to do is to ensure that you clean your teeth at least twice a day, and preferably after every meal. It never ceases to amaze me how many individuals only clean their teeth once a day, despite the fact that I see it so frequently. Brushing your teeth is the first thing you should do to protect yourself from acquiring cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day should be something you do every single day, regardless of how much you have going on in your life or how little time you have available to devote to this task. It is imperative that you give the front of your teeth, the sides of your teeth, and the back of your teeth a very thorough cleaning when you practice good oral hygiene. I usually recommend saying it for at least two minutes! Check out this page if you're unsure how to wash your teeth in the most effective manner possible. Another aspect of oral hygiene that is addressed when one brushes their teeth is the tongue's thorough cleansing. Therefore, you should make certain that you are giving that a high priority as well.
Now, let me explain why this is important: This stage is frequently skipped by so many people. It is true that if you do not floss your teeth, you will not be able to clean a significant portion of the surface of your teeth! Let me paint a picture for you. When you don't floss your teeth, you essentially end up with these problems:
You eat, bacteria begin to consume the food you ate, then the bacteria release their excrement onto your teeth (yeah, I know this sounds horrible, but it's true), and the waste these bacteria create is very acidic. If you don't brush your teeth regularly, bacteria will build up, which will result in an increase in waste production, and voilà! A hole has developed! Plaque and bacteria that accumulate on your teeth will eventually harden to the point where you will no longer be able to remove it using dental floss and a toothbrush. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to a day or even a few days, depending on the person, but as you can see, it does not take very long. To have the hardened plaque, also known as calculus, removed from your teeth, you will need to make an appointment with either your dentist or hygienist. So the next time you feel like skipping this step, think about all of the bacteria that are happily munching away on the food that is stuck between your teeth, and how their waste is being excreted directly onto your teeth and gums.
It is important to floss your teeth at least once every day. If you are only going to floss once, you should do it before bed. However, if you are only going to floss twice a day, you need make sure that you do it at least twice a day.
Additionally, floss can clean beneath your gums, which your toothbrush cannot do, while your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing maintains the health of your gums, which in turn maintains the health of your underlying bone structure, which in turn maintains the health of your teeth and ensures that they remain firmly planted in your jaw bone. Consequently, you should allot an additional minute or two to ensure that you floss your teeth.
After you have finished brushing your teeth, you should also make sure to rinse your mouth thoroughly with some kind of mouthwash. A last cleansing of your mouth can be accomplished with the help of mouthwash, which also assists in the removal of anything that may have been overlooked. In a nutshell, it helps minimize the amount of bacteria that are present in your mouth, and it also helps clean your gums and cheeks! It will only take you one minute, but it will do a great deal to assist you in warding off cavities. After you have finished brushing and flossing your teeth, you should consider using a quality mouthwash. I prefer mouthwashes that are alcohol-free and contain remineralizing agents such as fluoride or xylitol. Fluoride and xylitol are two examples of these types of ingredients.This will help in preventing cavities.
One of the most underappreciated ways to keep your mouth clean and your teeth cavity-free is to drink enough of water. If you don't have a toothbrush handy, you can always just take a few sips of water and give your mouth a quick rinse instead of brushing your teeth. It's not quite as effective as brushing your teeth, using dental floss, or rinsing your mouth with mouthwash, but it's a heck of a lot better than just letting food stay in your mouth, which can be harmful to your teeth. It is important to thoroughly clean your mouth with water after eating anything, whether it be a meal or something else entirely, and to remove as much food and debris from your teeth as possible.
It is imperative that you maintain consistent dental care by going to the dentist on a regular basis to avoid getting cavities. Typically, once a year for an exam and some check-up X-rays (although everyone is different, so talk to your dentist about this), and anywhere from two to four times a year for cleanings (depending on what your dentist or hygienist prescribe). I am aware that finding the correct dentist for you or simply determining how frequently you should go to the dentist can be a challenge; yet, going to the dentist on a regular basis is essential. If you go to the dentist on a regular basis, you will either be able to prevent problems from occurring in the first place or, if you have already experienced the beginning stages of some problems, you will be able to prevent them from worsening to an unacceptable degree. It is the most effective approach to stop cavities from developing in the first place or from getting worse. If you haven't been to the dentist in a while, now is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with them.
As a final piece of advice, I want to encourage you to make every effort possible to reduce the amount of sugar you consume (click here to watch my video on how you can cut sugar out of your diet). I am aware that putting this into practice is not always as simple as it sounds. Sugar, on the other hand, is one of the primary culprits in the development of cavities and other dental problems that result from it. Consider the quantity of sugar that you add to the foods that you eat, the snacks that you consume, and even the coffee that you consume. The issue is that there are a lot of hidden sugars, and as a result, there are instances when you are not even aware that you are consuming it! You may find out more about some of those sneaky sugars if you watch the video that I linked to in this blog post. Therefore, if you want to reduce the likelihood of developing cavities, you should reduce the amount of sugar that you put into your body on a daily basis.
I really hope that these have gotten you thinking about the many various things that you can do to lower the possibility of acquiring cavities in your teeth. In point of fact, it is not quite as difficult as it may seem. I have no doubt that you are aware of the bulk of these things, but it never hurts to have a gentle nudge in the right direction every now and again.
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Dr. Marianne Cohan was voted The Best Dentist/ Dental Office and Best Cosmetic Dentist from The Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2020 and 2021. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992.
With an emphasis on cosmetic dentistry, complete makeovers, and implant dentistry, Dr. Cohan is committed to continuing education and feels that we never stop learning. Dr. Cohan takes pride in using high-powered magnification to perform minimally invasive restorative dentistry. She uses all the latest technological advances including digital radiography, digital photography, computer simulations, and high-resolution pictures of your proposed treatment on 55-inch screens. She also utilizes CBCT (cone beam) and laser technology.
Dr. Cohan is always available to her patients and is available for any dental emergency.
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