How to Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a serious and widespread problem in the world. It’s caused by many factors, including diet and oral hygiene. We know that brushing your teeth twice a day helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. But what about between those times? What should you be eating, drinking, or doing to keep your teeth clean? The following article will teach you everything you need to know about preventing tooth decay!

Tooth Decay 101

Tooth decay starts with bacteria. If you’ve ever had a toothache, you know that the pain is triggered by the presence of these bacteria. There are various reasons for tooth decay, but diet and poor oral hygiene are two of the most common factors. In addition to brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene habits. For example, avoid snacking on sugary foods and drinks in between meals as these lead to tooth decay. Also, avoid acidic drinks like soda or juice as they can weaken your teeth over time.

 Preventing Tooth Decay:

We’ll start with the basics: brushing your teeth twice a day.

Brushing your teeth is important to preventing tooth decay because it removes plaque, bacteria, and food particles. Make sure you brush the inner surface of your teeth, where the most bacteria are. After brushing, make sure you rinse your mouth out well with water. This will remove any remaining plaque from your teeth.

It's also important to use dental floss after brushing to get at any plaque that was left behind in between two teeth.

 What Causes Cavities?

The most common cause of tooth decay is plaque. Plaque is a mixture of food particles, saliva, and bacteria that constantly causes problems for teeth. When left to its own devices, plaque will harden and create the unsightly film known as tartar. The plaque will also start to break down the enamel on your teeth if you don't brush it away.

 What are the most common tooth decay causes?

The two most common tooth decay causes are bacteria at the gumline and sugars in your diet. Bacteria at the gumline produce acids that can break down the enamel on your teeth, leading to cavities. Sugars will also lead to tooth decay because they feed the bacteria.

 Prevention Tips From Tooth Decay

The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brushing your teeth after every meal. Brushing your teeth removes the plaque that can grow in between meals and cause cavities. When you brush, be sure to brush gently on the gum line as this is where most cavities will form.

But brushing isn’t enough. You also need to floss. Flossing helps to remove bacteria and food particles that cannot be reached by a toothbrush. Plus, it removes plaque from between your teeth and under your gumline where a toothbrush cannot reach!

Drinking lots of water helps reduce the risk of tooth decay as well because it prevents dry mouth which causes cavities and bad breath. Avoid sugary drinks like sodas and fruit juices as these will make your mouth more acidic which increases your risk for tooth decay. This is why many people prefer drinking water instead.

 Conclusion

Cavities can be a serious problem for many people. There are many different causes for tooth decay, and it is important to know the most common causes. If you take the time to learn about tooth decay and how to prevent it, you can have healthy teeth for many years.