Tooth decay is one of the most common signs of poor oral health. It can result when bacteria and plaque begin to break down the teeth. Prevention is one of the best ways to protect your teeth, but you may wonder how to prevent tooth decay. Here are a few ways that you can work to enhance your oral health and keep your teeth naturally healthy and clean.
One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay is to continue to keep your appointments with your local dentist for a dental exam. At Lovett Dental Northside, we’re pleased to help maintain your teeth. To make your first appointment, please contact our team today at 713-691-5551.
Brush and Floss Daily
Brushing and flossing daily are some of the most important steps to take to protect your teeth from bacteria that can begin to break them down over time. Brushing effectively is important to ensure food particles are thoroughly removed. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and brush at a 45-degree angle along the gums. Use gentle motions without too much pressure applied. It may seem obvious, but regular brushing and flossing are the keys to protecting your teeth.
Flossing is just as important as brushing to remove trapped food particles near the gums to ensure decay doesn’t occur between the teeth. Floss at the end of each day before brushing to prevent the food from sitting on the teeth overnight for tooth decay prevention.
Wondering How to Prevent Tooth Decay? Use a Mouthwash
Regularly using mouthwash can be an important part of preventing tooth decay. A mouthwash that contains fluoride can be especially helpful in boosting the strength of your teeth while eliminating bacteria. Regular use of mouthwash effectively reduces the risk of gingivitis or gum disease, making it a good idea to incorporate into your oral care routine.
Take Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for absorbing calcium and phosphate included in the different foods that you consume. Vitamin D can be obtained from sources such as:
- Egg yolks
- Red meat
- Oily fish
- Liver
- Some breakfast cereals and fatty spreads
- Dietary supplements
Spending at least 15 minutes in the sun each day can also increase your vitamin D levels. Boosting your calcium intake will also be useful if you want to know how to prevent tooth decay naturally.
Limit Your Sugar Consumption
Sugar is one of the top threats to teeth and can cause cavities to develop quickly. Reduce your sugar intake to less than 10 percent of the total amount of calories you consume each day to prevent tooth decay. If you eat foods that contain sugar, opt for eating it at the end of the day to give your enamel a chance to remineralize. If you snack on sugary gum or soda during the day, then the enamel can’t remineralize as quickly, and you will increase the risk of developing cavities.
Schedule Routine Dental Visits
Make it a point to schedule routine dental exams every six months to ensure your teeth can get deep cleaned at Lovett Dental Northside by our general dentistry professionals. Our dentists can examine your teeth for the early signs of tooth decay and may also perform x-rays. The professional tools we use will do a more thorough job of removing plaque and bacteria for proper tooth decay prevention.
Many different treatments are also useful for tooth decay prevention when visiting the dentist. You can request a fluoride treatment, which contains more fluoride than toothpaste alone. You can also get a prescription for fluoride.
If you want to take further action to protect your teeth, you can also consider getting dental sealants. The sealants are painted onto back molars on chewing surfaces and work as barriers from bacteria and gums. They’re often recommended for kids who get their teeth in for the first time for proper tooth decay prevention with the help of general dentistry.
If you want to take action to improve your dental health with preventative dentistry to prevent tooth decay, contact Lovett Dental Northside at 713-691-5551. Our experienced dentists can help to make sure that you enjoy a clean, healthy mouth!