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Cavities are permanently damaged parts on your teeth' hard surface that develop into tiny holes or openings. Also known as caries or tooth decay, dental cavities are caused by sipping sugary drinks, frequently eating snacks, bacteria inside your mouth, and not regularly cleaning your teeth.
Furthermore, dental cavities are one of the most common oral health problems out there. Moreover, they are common in older adults, kids, and teenagers. That said, if one has teeth, they will suffer from dental cavities at least once in their lifetime.
The bacteria inside your mouth breaks down the sugar in the food you consume and releases acid as a byproduct. This acid is then held together to your teeth by sticky plaque, attacking your teeth' enamel and leading to dental cavities.
If you don't treat cavities on time, they will spread into your teeth' deeper layers. Typically, tooth decay leads to infection, severe toothache, and loss of teeth over time. So, if you're someone looking to stay miles away from dental cavities, then you have come to the right place.
So, without further ado, let us take a look at some amazingly simple things you can do to protect your teeth from dental cavities.
Regularly brush your teeth.
If you want to avoid cavities, nothing can be simpler than brushing your teeth at least twice a day. After all, it only takes a few minutes of your precious time, so why not utilize it for something that will benefit your oral health? Preferably, it would be best if you used an electric toothbrush with softer bristles.
Moreover, ensure that you get deep inside the hard-to-reach areas of your mouth to give your teeth a thorough clean. Furthermore, using a fluoride-based tooth cleaning product like duraphat toothpaste is an excellent choice to help save precious tooth enamel and prevent cavities. Here'sHow to clean your teeth a Step-by-Step Guide
Don't forget to floss as well.
While brushing with a soft bristle toothbrush might do the job for you, consider flossing as well. Every time you put food in your mouth and chew it, your teeth will trap food particles that will eventually turn into plaque if you don't clean it out.
If you don't, the plaque will bind together with the bacteria inside your mouth and cause cavities. So, floss your teeth every day, especially after you eat something, to ensure no food particles get trapped inside the space between your teeth.Here are a few tips on the correct flossing technique
Consume healthy food items.
The type of food you eat significantly impacts your oral health. So, the next you crave a cold can of your favorite sugary beverage or candy, say no! Eating nutritious food items and decreasing your sugar intake can reduce plaque buildup on your teeth.
Moreover, avoid acidic fruits and vegetables that might harm your teeth. If you think it will be challenging to give up your favorite acidic beverages, go for unsweetened or natural fruit juices because they are less damaging to your teeth than precessed sugar-based foods items.
However, it would be best to stick to tap water to avoid all the issues mentioned above. After all, water is by far the healthiest liquid you can drink. Our body is made up of around 60 percent water. Drinking eight to ten glasses of water every day will help you get rid of bodily waste and distribute healthy minerals and nutrients throughout your body.
Not to mention, it will improve your blood flow to your gums drastically, keeping them as healthy as they can be.Here are the vitamins and minerals you need for healthy teeth
Chew on sugar-free chewing gums.
This might surprise you, but chewing gum, especially the sugar-free kind, will help you in the battle against cavities. It can aid you by increasing saliva production and flow inside your mouth, acting as a natural teeth cleaner.
In fact, the ADA (American Dental Association) gave their seal of approval to chewing gum brands such as Eclipse and Orbit because their sugar-free chewing helps prevent dental cavities. That said, instead of buying any chewing gum you can find at your local supermarket, check the backside of the packaging for the ADA's seal of approval to ensure that what you are buying will work.
Give up smoking.
Smoking is no doubt harmful to your overall health and can lead to medical problems such as lung and bowel cancer over time. However, little did you know that smoking or chewing tobacco leads to stained teeth and gums.
But, smoking or chewing tobacco causes more harm to your oral health than just staining your gums and teeth. It can also lead to severe health conditions such as oral cancer, tooth loss, and gum disease. So, quit while you're ahead to protect and keep your gums and teeth as healthy as possible.
Get dental sealants.
If you visit your dentist regularly, ask them to apply dental sealants inside your teeth. Dental sealant is a protective layer that your dentist can stick to the biting surfaces on your molars. When in place, the sealant protects your back teeth from plaque and bacteria, reducing cavity buildup tenfold.
At the same time, a dental sealant is commonly applied to children's teeth because they grow permanent teeth over time. However, adults can also reap its benefits.
Don't forget to visit your dentist.
There is a high chance that your teeth have cavities that arent visible to the naked eye. So, visit your dentist now and then to identify their presence. Typically, your dentist will perform an x-ray to do so. That said, going to the dentist for regular teeth cleaning sessions and checkups is crucial to avoiding dental cavities and maintaining your oral health.
Moreover, it would also be wise to ask your dentist if you should use floured supplements to strengthen your teeth. Not to mention, your dentist will provide you with flossing, brushing, and other good oral and dental hygiene tips.
Conclusion.
In the end, excellent oral health means reduced chances of developing dental cavities. It is as simple as that. After all, tooth decay and cavities are so common, and if you're aren't taking them seriously, you might develop dental issues in the long haul.
Furthermore, there are a few dental issues that you won't be able to spot as they will require a dental x-ray. So, ensure that you're visiting your dentist at least three times every six months. It is a must if you want to keep your gums and teeth healthy for as long as possible.
Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.
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