Keeping your teeth healthy is probably not at the forefront of your mind. You understand the importance of daily brushing and flossing, but you may not keep up your oral hygiene like you know you should. Especially as the winter days turn even colder, it’s important to find a dental clinic in Denver that can take care of your cavities or gum disease before you start experiencing extreme mouth pain and discomfort.
This article will help you understand how you can prevent cavities before they happen instead of waiting to get them treated and putting your health on the line.
What Can You Do to Prevent Cavities?
Tooth cavity close up illustration with a cross section of a tooth anatomy in decay.
DO brush twice a day. Brushing your teeth twice a day (or after each meal) keeps plaque at bay and lowers the amount of residue on your teeth. This prevents wear on your enamel and removes sugary residues, which often lead to cavities.
DO floss each day. Oftentimes, cavities and tooth rot occur because food particulate is trapped between the teeth and begins to rot. This encourages the wrong kind of bacteria to build up in your mouth. Flossing prevents this food matter from sticking around, freeing your teeth from uncomfortable intrusions while keeping your mouth cleaner.
DO drink water. Drinking enough water is a great way to flush your mouth throughout the day and helps you stay hydrated.
Did you know that if you have a dry mouth, you’re more likely to develop cavities? Keeping yourself hydrated can help prevent dry mouth. But if it’s a persistent problem, you may want to contact a dentist or doctor to help you fix this issue with medication or lifestyle changes.
DON’T brush your teeth too hard. While brushing daily is the core of oral hygiene, brushing your teeth too hard can also cause issues. This can wear down your enamel, the protective layer on your teeth, causing dreaded temperature sensitivities. It can also grind your teeth down, leaving more nooks and crannies for food residue and bacteria to gather in your mouth.
DON’T drink or eat excessive amounts of sugar. Sugar is one of the main causes of cavities. Avoid a diet with lots of processed sugars and brush or floss after indulging in a sweet treat.
DON’T grind your teeth. Grinding your teeth can leave them more vulnerable to all the agents of decay that you encounter throughout the day, just like brushing your teeth too hard can. Use a mouth guard at night to avoid grinding your teeth in your sleep.
Visit Your Dentist for Regular Checkups and Cleaning
Visiting your dentist can help you deal with cavities before they become a headache, literally! If you do suspect that you have a cavity, which most people get them from time to time, it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your dentist as soon as possible.
Cavities can lead to other health problems, like blood clots and bacterial infections, so it’s best to get treatment quickly and professionally.
