January 2022

Introduction:

We at Apple Tree Dental want our clients to have a healthy smile. Therefore, we have compiled this article on how to avoid cavities. The article provides tips to save your teeth and prompt a healthy smile.

Make A Commitment To Your Oral Hygiene Routine

For optimal teeth and gum health, you’re supposed to brush your teeth a minimum of twice per day, with floss and mouthwash integrated into this routine. Ideally, you’ll want to brush your teeth with the best possible products for the best results – if possible, try to avoid off-brand products when it comes to your oral health!

It’s also recommended that you brush your teeth thoroughly before going to sleep. This is because saliva production decreases at night, so your mouth isn’t clean until morning. In addition, saliva helps eliminate any remaining food particles, allowing bacteria to build up quickly. So it’s best to take care of your mouth before retiring for the day!

In short, make sure you’re not brushing less than twice daily and that you’re incorporating dental floss at least once per day! Mouthwash or, if it’s unavailable, drinking lots of water in between meals before you can access a toothbrush can also work wonders for your oral health.

Improve Or Make Upgrades To Your Diet

Believe it or not, some foods and beverages have direct oral health benefits! Sometimes it isn’t just about how often you brush or how long you brush for, but what interacts with your teeth before the toothbrush does!

Some foods that are great for tooth and gum health are as follows:

• Sugar-Free Gum
• Cheese
• Fresh Vegetables and Fruits

Incorporating more of these items into your diet will help keep your teeth clean, lowering the likelihood of you getting hard build-up on your teeth.

Visit Your Dentist for Regular Cleanings

The best thing you can do to prevent cavities and maintain your oral health is to see the dentist twice yearly!

Sometimes, cavities and tooth decay have no symptoms. You may think that you’re able to skip out on the dentist because of this, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Despite having a lack of symptoms, your dentist will be able to tell if there’s any decay or cavities that are living in your mouth undetected. During their semiannual exam, they’ll be able to perform a complete examination of your teeth, gums, and jaw, diagnose any current issues, and check for the warning signs of any that may come.

Your dentist is also the only one that can genuinely remove that stubborn build-up on your teeth. Hardened plaque can’t be removed with a toothbrush and floss. To prevent decay or periodontal disease, your dentist will have to remove any top layer of the build-up to ensure it doesn’t develop into a more severe problem.

Regular cleanings will help you maintain your oral health and catch and treat any decay or cavities that need to be addressed.

Swish With Or Drink Tap Water

If you’d prefer not to consume tap water, try simply swishing with it a few times a week, as you would with your favourite mouthwash.

^[1]Cut Back On Sugary And Acidic Drinks — And Drink More Water.

Need that morning latte, a daily cup of coffee, or a hot cup of tea? Prolonged exposure to teeth of acidic coffee or tea, compounded by added sugar or even just added milk, can increase your risk for new cavities. So go ahead, enjoy your coffee! But try to keep it to 20 minutes or less, and rinse your mouth with water after.

The problem with sipping coffee with cavity-causing additives such as sugar, syrups and cream is that the harmful sugars stay in your saliva over a long period. To counter this, drink some water and other drinks to rinse your mouth and keep saliva from becoming too sugary and eating away at your teeth. Also, try sipping coffee from a straw. This helps keep those sugary liquids off your teeth.

^[2]Preventing Cavities

Special sealants and varnishes can also be applied to prevent cavities from forming.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you may have a cavity:

• Unusual sensitivity to hot and cold water or foods.
• A localized pain in your tooth or near the gum line.
• Teeth that change colour.

Conclusion:

We hope that this article has been helpful. Check back frequently for other oral health tips here at Apple Tree Dental.

Article compiled by AppleTreeDental.ca

Article Reference links:

1. https://dentistry.uic.edu/news-stories/5-amazingly-simple-things-you-can-do-to-prevent-cavities/ ↑
2. https://www.northattleborodental.com/articles/general/502377-cavities-and-tooth-decay ↑