Tooth Decay: Ways to Prevent and Treat
Taking good care of your mouth is an important part of sustaining your overall health and wellness. Preventing tooth decay is a major part of this strategy. Tooth decay is one of the most common results of a cavity and could be a sign of poor oral health caused by a lack of oral hygiene.
Causing the Dental Cavity
The food you eat is absorbed by germs in your mouth to form acid. The acids that are released by the germs in plaque can cause tooth breakdown and eventually a dental cavity. Because tooth decay is a hole in your tooth enamel, it can be very painful when the hole gets deep enough to expose a nerve. If you work hard to prevent the start of tooth decay, you will enjoy better dental health. The added benefit will be avoiding painful dental treatments and costly procedures in the future.
Prevent Tooth Decay
There are many steps you can take to prevent the start of tooth decay. The first step in preventing a tooth cavity is to start and continue an oral health care regimen. You’ll be pleased with a healthy mouth and smile that comes with good oral health care. There are many possibilities for oral health care these days, here is a list of important items to incorporate into your hygiene routine to help prevent cavities.
Important Tools for Hygiene
When you go to the drug store, bring along this list to help get you create an oral hygiene routine at home.
Toothbrush: The most important cleaning tool is a toothbrush. Many people don't think much about types of brushes available. There are hundreds of options possible. Consider a toothbrush that can reach all the surfaces of all your teeth. It’s also important to find a brush that includes a textured tongue cleaner. Bacterial germs that cause oral malodor live in the crevices of your tongue. Specialized toothbrushes such as an electric toothbrush feature bristles designed to get in hard-to-reach areas and stimulate gums.
Toothpaste: An important component of your oral hygiene system is toothpaste. It is key for preventing cavities. There are many products available but Dr. Nugent recommends selecting a product that is accepted by the American Dental Association. Most of these toothpastes will help with cavities, gingivitis, plaque, whitening, sensitivity, and bad breath.
Dental Floss: Flossing every day is necessary for good oral health. Removing food particles from around your teeth helps prevent dental cavities. Many people find that flossing in tight spaces, is easier with a floss like Glide floss.
Mouth Rinse: Rinsing your mouth before and after you brush is another step in effective daily oral hygiene care. The use of a therapeutic mouth rinse leaves your mouth feeling clean and your breath fresh. It also kills the bacteria that can cause plaque and gingivitis. Many people don’t like to use an alcohol containing mouth rinse because of the medicine burn taste. Crest Pro-Health mouth rinse is an example of one that is alcohol-free.
Keep these suggestions in mind the next time you are shopping for your oral hygiene needs. You will be more likely to prevent the formation of a dental cavity and you will enjoy a clean and fresh mouth. Throughout our website, you will find an abundance of information about our practice, procedures we provide, and dentistry in general. Please explore and learn as much about dentistry and our services as you desire. We believe our patients should have as much information as possible in order to make important, informed decisions regarding their oral health and treatment options. Our patients are our most important asset, and we strive to develop long-lasting, trusting relationships with all of our patients. Your referrals are welcome and appreciated. We look forward to seeing you!
source: Crest Pro Health http://www.crestprohealth.com