Besides brushing and flossing your teeth daily, you should also avoid acidic or sugary foods. These can cause cavities. Moreover, you should brush your teeth immediately after eating or drinking something acidic. If you’d like to avoid cavities, then read on to know about some easy ways to prevent them. After all, prevention is better than cure! Listed below are some of the most effective tips:
Avoiding sugary foods
Although it’s impossible to completely avoid sugary foods, eating healthy is crucial to keeping teeth and gums healthy. Sugary snacks and long-lasting sweets are especially harmful to teeth. Avoid eating these and opting for a healthier alternative. If you do have a sweet tooth, eat these in moderation. However, if you really cannot resist, you can always try raspberries and other fruit for sugar.
It’s important to remember that sugar attracts harmful bacteria, which erode tooth enamel. As a result, sugar is one of the biggest culprits in tooth decay. The bad bacteria feed on sugars, which then cause cavities. These bacteria also thrive on acid, which can destroy tooth enamel. The acid eats away at the protective enamel and results in cavities. You should brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss at least once a day, and avoid eating sweet snacks.
Avoiding acidic foods
When it comes to preventing cavities, limiting your consumption of sugary foods and beverages is crucial. These foods and drinks strip minerals from your teeth and body, and demineralization results. To avoid the consequences of this de-mineralization, eat foods and beverages that are low in acid. You should also drink plenty of water, as it helps to produce saliva, which washes away debris that can cause tooth decay. If you don’t have time to completely avoid these foods and drinks, rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward.
In addition to limiting your intake of acidic foods and beverages, a balanced diet that includes plenty of vitamins and minerals is important. However, acid erosion is a common problem among many adults. Soda and sports drinks are the main culprits in acid erosion. Avoiding these products will help you limit the damage to your teeth and make your life easier. This may seem like a complex process, but it’s simple.
Brushing after eating
You might be wondering whether brushing after eating can really prevent cavities. If you’ve ever had a meal that contains sucrose, you know that bacteria in plaque start to produce acid right away. Within five minutes, salivary pH drops from a neutral 7 to an acidic 4.5. After 30 minutes, it takes the mouth’s pH back to a neutral 7. If you’d rather delay this process, brushing after eating will help to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Tooth enamel on your teeth is very fragile, and brushing immediately after eating can damage it. Leaving it to soak in acid and bacteria after eating will make it more vulnerable to cavities. Moreover, teeth with weak enamel are more susceptible to fracture and will need replacement eventually. It’s best to delay brushing after eating by at least 30 minutes, to prevent wearing down tooth enamel and improve oral health and freshness. But even though brushing after eating can help prevent cavities, it may not be necessary.
Flossing
Many studies have claimed that flossing helps prevent cavities. However, a recent Associated Press investigation found only weak evidence. The results of many studies were short-lived and based on outdated methods. The impact of flossing on the development of cavities may be stronger for patients who are at high risk of gum disease, such as smokers and diabetics. The association also pointed to a 2011 review that focused on the prevention of cavities and did not consider the risk of gum disease.
Moreover, flossing helps maintain gum health. It removes plaque, which can develop into tartar and increase the risk of gum disease. Moreover, flossing also decreases the chances of bleeding gums. Gums protect the teeth by providing a protective lining and reducing the friction of food in the mouth. However, these tissues are prone to infection. If left untreated, gum disease may spread throughout the body and impair oral health.
Fluoride treatments
Many children receive fluoride treatments to prevent cavities. Fluoride is a mineral found naturally in soil and is helpful for minimizing dental caries by inhibiting the demineralization of tooth enamel. Regular use of fluoride toothpaste and water is essential for obtaining optimal concentrations. Children aged three and younger can benefit from daily brushing with a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children receive fluoride treatments at least twice a year.
Fluoride treatment is a professional treatment that is applied to the teeth in a gel, foam, or varnish. Some treatments are available to use at home under the direction of a dentist. These treatments contain a higher concentration of fluoride than toothpaste and can provide faster benefits. Fluoride helps your body absorb minerals, such as calcium and phosphate, and helps prevent the onset of tooth decay.
Having a dental team
For many people, having a dental team is as important as brushing and flossing, but this is not always the case. There are many other reasons for this, including poor oral health and social inequalities. Here are three of the most important:
Poor oral hygiene – In addition to not brushing and flossing often, poor oral hygiene can also cause cavities and undo the good work a dental team does. Bad oral hygiene can cause a buildup of plaque on teeth, giving harmful bacteria a place to thrive. By keeping your teeth clean, you will be able to prevent cavities. Keeping your mouth moist also helps to wash particles off your teeth and fight bacteria development.
