How to Avoid Dental Cavities

Proper tooth care is important if you want to avoid dental cavities. Cavities can cause pain, look bad, can give you bad breath, and cost a lot to take care of. In the case of dental health, an ounce of protection is worth a pound of cure! Follow these tips to keep your smile bright and cavity-free.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• toothbrush
• toothpaste
• dental floss
• trusted dentist

1. The easiest way to prevent dental cavities is to brush your teeth properly and often. Using a medium or soft toothbrush, brush your teeth two or three times per day. You should brush for a minimum of two minutes total, or 30 seconds in each quadrant. Brush each surface of each tooth: the cheek side, the tongue side, and the biting surface. Also, brush behind the back teeth in each quadrant.

2. Brush your tongue with your toothbrush, or with a special tongue scraper. Millions of bacteria can live in the grooves of your tongue, and can contribute to bad breath along with dental cavities.

3. Flossing your teeth is an important way to avoid dental cavities in between your teeth. Use enough floss so that you have a clean section for each tooth. Scrape up and down the spaces between your teeth. If you have crowns or bridges, you may need special floss or a special device to clean those areas properly. Speak to your dentist or dental hygienist about this.

4. Visit your dentist twice per year. Have a cleaning done by a dental hygienist, and have your dentist examine your teeth. Have xrays done as recommended by your dentist to catch potential problems before they become serious.

Tips & Warnings

• If you notice bleeding while brushing or flossing, see your dentist.
• If you see dark spots or have sudden sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods, you may have a cavity starting, and should see your dentist.
• If you live in an area that does not add flouride to the water supply, or if you don't drink tap water, speak to your dentist about the need for flouride supplementation.

Resources

• What's a Cavity?
• How to Prevent Cavities

[lezsays]

on 4/5/2009 Very helpful and informative tips!rrc