How to Prevent Dental Cavities

Dental cavities are no fun. They often hurt, they make chewing and eating difficult and painful, and they require a trip to the dentist for a shot of novocaine and some unpleasant drilling to fix. Why not prevent cavities in the first place and save yourself some pain and misery. Follow these easy-to-implement steps to improve your dental health and reduce your chances of developing cavities.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Consistency
• Effort
• Good Toothbrush
• Knowledge
• Dental Floss
• Fluoride Rinse

1. 
    

   Brush Regularly - A no-brainer. Cavities form when bacteria in your mouth interacts with food particles and saliva on your teeth to produce acid, acid that is highly corrosive to your tooth enamel and which can cause tooth decay and cavities if not regularly removed. Brush regularly, but use a soft bristled brush and use gentle brushing strokes. Hard brushing can wear away tooth enamel and make teeth more susceptible to cavities and decay.

2. Rinse Often - If you can't brush your teeth after every meal or snack, make it a point to at least wash your mouth out with water and/or a good antiseptic mouth wash to help prevent tooth decay and cavities. Rinsing away food particles and not allowing them to stagnate on teeth between brushings is a great way to reduce dental plaque and acid buildup, which helps to reduce cavities.

3. 
    

   Avoid Sugary Foods - Sugary and/or starchy foods cause excessive plaque and acid formation on teeth; thus, these food types promote tooth decay and cavity formation. If you must eat or drink sugary foods and/or snacks, be sure to brush your teeth immediately after eating them or at the very least rinse your mouth out with water and/or antiseptic mouth wash to reduce plaque and acid buildup on your teeth.

4. 
    

   Avoid Sodas - Soda pop, both regular and diet versions, are notoriously harsh on teeth. These drinks contain citric and/or phosphuric acid, which are highly corrosive to tooth enamel and promote tooth decay and cavities. Regular soda drinkers tend to have much higher incidences of tooth decay, periodontal disease, and cavities than do non-soda drinkers.

5. 
    

   Avoid Acidic Foods - Highly acidic foods, i.e, lemons, most citrus fruits, etc., can be highly irritating and damaging to both teeth and gums and can help speed the breakdown of tooth enamel and increase the risk for tooth decay and cavities. Limit your intake of citrus fruits and/or highly acidic food types to help prevent cavities and overly sensitive teeth.

6. 
    

   Chew Sugar-Free Gum - Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva formation in the mouth, a process which helps to keep teeth clean and reduce plaque formation and tooth decay. Chewing gum also helps to neutralize acid formation on the teeth, thereby making it harder for cavities to develop.

7. 
    

   Use a Fluoride Rinse - Every night before going to bed, rinse your mouth out with a good fluoride dental rinse. This will help to reduce any bits of plaque and/or bacteria that you might have missed while brushing and also help to strengthen your teeth enamel, all of which will help to prevent tooth decay and cavities.

8. 
    

   Get Regular Dental Check-Ups - Visit your dentist on a regular basis for check-ups and cleanings. Having your teeth periodically cleaned and examined by your dentist will help to ensure the health of your teeth and gums as well as help to prevent cavities. Regular dental check-ups can also help to spot potential trouble spots before they become major problems.

Tips & Warnings

• Floss your teeth every day to remove plaque and food debris from between teeth