5 Best Practices to Reduce Tooth Decay

5 Ways to Reduce Tooth Decay

Tooth cavities can not only be an embarrassment but may also cause a lot of pain if the situation is left unattended. Tooth cavities are caused by harmful bacteria that build up on your teeth as a result of food particles being lodged in the teeth. The bacteria on the teeth mainly feed off of sugar that comes into the mouth as a result of consuming sugary meals and beverages. Bacteria attack your teeth’s enamel, which is a protective hard coating that covers the soft parts of your tooth. Once the enamel gets eroded, bacteria will penetrate past the cementum, exposing the nerve endings and roots.

Preventing tooth decay is easy if one follows simple and basic dental hygiene practices. It's also important to check in with the local dentist for regular appointments and advice on how to keep your oral health in the best shape. Below are some great tips on how you can keep tooth decay at bay and avoid having to have your teeth filled or extracted.

Brush your teeth regularly

Teeth easily pick up and retain food particles after every meal. The simplest and tiniest snack can have your teeth picking up a lot of bacteria in no time. It is therefore important to brush your teeth after meals. It would be best to do so in the morning after you have had breakfast and after dinner just before you retire for bed.

Picking up mouthwash

Brushing your teeth regularly is a great way to keep your teeth clean and healthy. A better way to maintain a healthy mouth is also to keep your breath fresh by using mouthwash. By being a liquid, mouthwash has the ability to penetrate inside tiny little pockets in between your teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. Mouthwash also contains agents that reduce the mouth’s acidity while also eliminating harmful bacteria. Mouthwash is, therefore, a great ally when it comes to preventing tooth decay.

Visit the dentist regularly

Do not visit the dentist only when your oral health has deteriorated to the point where you either need a tooth extraction, filling or root canal. Make a point of visiting the dentist once every few months. Dental visits will help prevent tooth decay since the dentist will regularly give you a good tooth cleaning session while also advising you on what to do to maintain good oral health.

Think about getting dental sealants

Dental sealants are great when it comes to protecting teeth against decay. Sealants prevent tooth decay by sealing the vulnerable parts of the tooth away from the reach of harmful bacteria. Sealants form a protective shield around the tooth, protecting them from decay.

Drink water with fluoride in it

Flouride is added to the public water supply system in most cities. This is great since fluoride helps in preventing tooth decay. Fluoridated water not only helps in getting rid of harmful bacteria but also helps remineralize the teeth.

Reducing a tooth from decaying can be an extremely important step in maintaining good dental hygiene, but it is important to know how to properly do so.

Request an appointment here: https://www.mytotaldentistry.com or call McCarthy Dentistry at (740) 546-5178 for an appointment in our Marietta office.