Cavities are a symptom of tooth decay caused by bacteria that gets into the teeth and eats away at tooth enamel. As the bacteria works, it produces acid which compounds the problem. The acid erodes the tooth enamel and then leaches into the tooth itself, which is what causes cavities.
That bacteria feeds on the sugar and starch we eat and emits a gas as a result of consumption. That gas produces bad breath, which is another reason we want to prevent it!
Our diets are generally high in sugar and starch, providing lots of food for the bacteria in our mouths. So, diet has a big influence in how susceptible we are to cavities and tooth decay.
Preventing tooth decay and cavities
Preventing tooth decay and in turn, cavities is actually quite simple. However, it takes effort and requires you to build time into your busy daily schedule. If you can do that, you can prevent tooth decay.
To prevent damage to your teeth you need to:
Brush your teeth daily
Brush your teeth twice a day after meals with a good quality toothpaste and you will go a long way to preventing tooth decay. Make sure you brush properly and spend at least 2 minutes doing it. If you want to learn how to brush properly, we can help.
Floss regularly
Flossing isn’t the most intuitive pastime we can think of but it’s an essential part of good oral hygiene. Regular brushing cannot get between the teeth to remove food, which is where flossing comes in. Floss daily if you can, or at least, as often as you can to maximize your oral health. It will go a long way to preventing cavities.
Eat healthy
The bacteria in our mouth feeds on sugar and starch, so removing as much of it from your diet as possible gives them less fuel to work. Not only does the reduction in sugar help your teeth, it will have overriding health benefits for your entire body. As holistic dentists, we’re very much in favor of that!
Regular dental checks
Visiting your dentist on a regular basis for a checkup is an essential part of maintaining oral health. Even with the best dental regimen in the world, sometimes things get missed or slip through the cracks. It’s our job to spot problems before they arise and help you prevent tooth decay and cavities.
In all aspects of medicine prevention is always better than needing to find a cure, dentistry is no different. Brush twice a day, floss daily, watch what you eat and visit your dentist regularly and there is no reason why you cannot go your entire life without ever needing a filling!
