Prevent Cavities Using These Tips That Work for Everyone

Maintaining a healthy mouth is something that should be important to everyone. This includes not only preventing cavities but also keeping your gums healthy. That said, not everyone knows exactly how to prevent cavities. Most people think that simply brushing their teeth is enough to keep cavities at bay and their gums healthy. In truth, that’s just the start of the things that you could be doing to keep your teeth and gums looking their best.

What Are Cavities?

Before we get into how to prevent cavities, which will also aid you in having healthy gums, we should discuss just what cavities are. Basically, they are holes that develop in your teeth. Usually, the holes are the result of bacteria which produces acid as it feeds on food particles in your mouth. This acid eventually weakens your teeth, leading to cavities. Brushing away the food particles cuts down on the amount of acid that the bacteria produce, which prevents cavities.

Now, let’s discuss some tips that you can use to avoid cavities. Also, we’ll discuss treatment options in the event that you already have a cavity or still develop one even after using these tips. Some people are simply more prone to cavities than others.

Preventing Cavities

Here are some of the most common tips that you can use to avoid cavities. Remember that everyone is different. Even after following these tips, you could still develop cavities. That’s why it’s always a good idea to visit your local Miami dentist regularly. Professional advice can take cavity prevention to a whole new level.

Brush Often

The first and most obvious of the tips is to brush your teeth often. You should be brushing your teeth at least twice a day. If possible, try brushing your teeth after every meal or snack. If you find yourself unable to brush, consider chewing on sugar-free gum. This helps break up food particles and promotes saliva production, which can wash away bacteria.

Don’t Skip Dental Visits

It’s easy to only visit your dentist when there’s a problem. However, you should actually make regular oral exam and cleaning appointments. Cleanings can help you avoid major problems down the line by removing plaque that builds up on your teeth.

Use a Fluoride Mouthwash

Fluoride is one of your best friends when it comes to preventing cavities. That’s why you should consider working fluoride mouthwashes into your oral hygiene routine. Most fluoride rinses are pretty inexpensive, and they go a long way in helping prevent cavities.

Talk to Your Dentist About Sealants

If you want to take your cavity prevention to another level, talk to your dentist about getting sealants. The goal of sealants is to seal off all of the grooves in your teeth. By doing this, you can prevent food from getting trapped in these grooves, which reduces the possibility of getting cavities. Best of all, sealants are known to last upward of 10 years.

Skip Bottled Water and Drink Tap

Some people don’t like the taste of tap water, but did you know that most cities add fluoride to their water supplies? This fluoride remineralizes your teeth, making them stronger. If you don’t like the taste of tap water, consider getting a water filter. Some of them don’t remove fluoride from water, allowing you to enjoy clean water that’s still full of fluoride.

Eat the Right Foods

It’s no surprise that the foods you eat have a huge impact on your teeth as well. There are actually foods that you can add to your diet to protect your teeth. Some of these include vegetables, fresh fruits and cheese. Certain drinks can strengthen your teeth too, such as unsweetened coffee and tea.

Don’t Be Afraid to Talk to Your Dentist

Lastly, don’t hesitate to talk about your oral habits with your dentist. Everyone has different needs, and you might need something special to keep your smile looking great. Thankfully, your Miami dentist is there to help you find affordable ways to keep your teeth free of cavities.

Treatment Options If You Already Have Cavities

While these tips are helpful, they won’t do much to get rid of any cavities that you already have. Fortunately, a number of options are available to treat cavities.

Get a Filling

Fillings are probably the most common and cost-effective way to deal with cavities. That said, fillings only work for small cavities. During a filling procedure, your dentist will remove the portion of your tooth that has decayed and restore it with a safe, hard material.

Opt for a Crown

If a cavity is too big for a filling or you have too many cavities on one tooth, your dentist might have to use a crown, which is like a cap that’s placed over your tooth. The crown helps your tooth retain its shape and size after removing the cavities and protects it from further decay.

Have a Root Canal

A third option is a root canal. This is the most invasive of all of the options, but it’s the only treatment option sometimes. Root canals are needed when the decay in your tooth has spread into the pulp and nerves. During a root canal, the dentist removes the infected pulp and seals the roots of the teeth before applying a crown.

Ask About New Treatments

New treatment options are being discovered every day. In fact, some researchers are testing fluorescent lights to help dentists spot tooth decay sooner. As a result, they could spot decay before it becomes a cavity.

Visit a Dentist in Miami

Use these tips to ensure that cavities don’t destroy your teeth. Keep in mind the importance of brushing, flossing and using mouthwash every day. Lastly, visit your Miami dentist on a regular basis. Visiting your dentist gives you the best chance of avoiding cavities. Also, it leaves you with a clean feeling in your mouth that you simply can’t get at home. If you haven’t been to the dentist in a while, it’s time to schedule an appointment.