Have you experienced sudden pain in a tooth? Have you skipped one of your regular cleanings? Knowing how to prevent tooth decay can help you avoid further complications later. Good oral hygiene, regular dental cleanings, and watching what you eat can assist you in preventing tooth decay. Tooth decay happens when acids in plaque interact with the sugars and starches in our foods. The acid wears away enamel, which can cause cavities.
To help prevent tooth decay, brush your teeth twice daily and floss once daily to remove bacteria and food particles stuck between your teeth. To learn more about our
teeth cleaning services, contact Supreme Dentistry today at
844.966.2333.
What Is Tooth Decay?
Did you know that cavities are a form of tooth decay? While tooth decay sounds ominous, it’s incredibly common—many people develop cavities at some point in their lives. Although they are common, the damage they cause is also permanent. And left untreated, tooth decay can lead to toothache, infection, and even tooth loss.
Tooth decay occurs when the enamel that protects your teeth breaks down. What causes enamel to break down? Plaque, or the layer of bacteria that can form on your teeth, can produce acids when it comes into contact with sugar. These acids begin to eat away at your enamel and create a hole in your tooth. It can be helpful to know its signs and symptoms to prevent tooth decay. While seeing your dentist for regular cleanings is critical to keeping your teeth and gums healthy, you can call your dentist for an additional appointment if you begin to develop a cavity in between cleanings. Treating cavities early can help prevent more damage.
The Signs of Tooth Decay
The signs of tooth decay vary based on which teeth are affected and how severe the issue is. For example, you might not notice the early stages of a cavity. However, you can check for these signs:
- Toothache
- Pain that occurs without any apparent cause
- Tooth sensitivity
- Holes in the tooth that are visible
- Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot, or cold
- Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth
- Pain when you bite down
It is key to understand these signs of tooth decay and prevent them with good oral hygiene practices.
Can Tooth Decay Be Stopped?
Good oral hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent tooth decay and cavities. Brush your teeth at least twice daily, or ideally after every meal. Use fluoride toothpaste to prevent cavities and reverse some early stages of damage. Flossing between your teeth can remove hard-to-reach plaque before it causes decay. You can also add a fluoride rinse to your brushing routine.
Other steps for preventing tooth decay include:
- Dental sealants – These protective coatings, often used on small children, can prevent plaque and bacteria from reaching the enamel
- Drinking tap water – Most cities add fluoride to their water supply
- Avoiding sugary foods – When you eat things high in sugar, the bacteria on your teeth from harmful plaque. Foods to avoid include ice cream, soda, hard candy, cookies, and milk
- Regular cleanings – Your dentist can catch cavities early before they cause painful damage
- Eat tooth-healthy foods – Fresh fruit and vegetables and coffee and tea with no sugar added can promote good oral health
Your dentist can help you establish good oral health routines. If you’re concerned about the health of your teeth, reach out to a dentist near you today.
How to Prevent Tooth Decay Naturally
Taking care of our teeth is essential for an overall healthy lifestyle. Fortunately, there are natural steps we can take to prevent tooth decay and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. Some prevention methods include:
- Brushing your teeth twice daily with a toothpaste that contains fluoride
- Flossing between every tooth regularly
- Avoiding sugary drinks or snacks high in sugar
- Rinsing your mouth with a natural antiseptic like salt water or tea tree oil after meals
- Chewing sugarless gum or crunching on crunchy vegetables helps to clean the surfaces of teeth
Taking good care of our teeth is not complicated and does not require expensive treatments. Natural preventive measures help to keep away cavities for good!
Schedule an Appointment at Supreme Dentistry Today
Professional cleanings and dental exams are essential tactics for preventing tooth decay. Your dentist can spot problems you might not be aware of yet, recommend products, and fill cavities before they cause further damage.
At Supreme Dentistry, the health of your teeth and gums is our top priority. Our dentists and dental hygienists will help remove plaque, catch problems early on, and help you develop good oral hygiene habits. Reach out to make an appointment for a cleaning and find out why we are Houston’s premier dental practice.
Contact us by calling
844.966.2333 or using our secure online form today.
