Tooth decay is an infection to the teeth that is caused by bacteria. When tooth decay occurs, the teeth’s enamel, dentin, and cementum are broken down. Tooth decay is often referred to as dental caries or cavities and can cause pain and fractures to the affected tooth or teeth. If left untreated and the decay turns severe, tooth death can occur. Luckily, there are many ways that one can prevent tooth decay.
Regularly Brushing Your Teeth
Brushing your teeth twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening — is the beginning to all good oral health routines. It is also one of the easiest ways to help protect your teeth against decay.
Dentists typically recommend soft-bristled toothbrushes because they are the most useful in removing plaque and food particles from the teeth. Getting a small toothbrush can be helpful in cleaning some hard-to-reach places, like the back of the teeth. For toothpaste, one that contains fluoride is strongly recommended. Fluoride can help strengthen and even replace the tooth enamel. The tooth enamel is a key part of the teeth that helps to prevent decay. As well, any type of toothpaste that is labeled as anti-cavity can be helpful.
Regularly Flossing Your Teeth
While many people brush their teeth regularly, many people ignore flossing. This is a bad thing, as flossing is a key part of any good oral health routines. One should floss twice a day, typically after brushing. To really help prevent decay, some people floss after each meal as well. Flossing can reach places between each tooth that cannot be reached by simply brushing the teeth. Food particles stuck between the teeth that can result in bacterial infections. As such, flossing is important in preventing tooth decay.
There are different sizes of floss that one can buy depending on how big the spaces are between a person’s teeth.
Using Anti-cavity Mouthwash
It isn’t as important as brushing or flossing, but mouthwash is another good way to help prevent tooth decay. It is important to note, though, that not all mouthwashes will be effective in preventing tooth decay. One should use a mouthwash that is specifically labeled as anti-cavity and/or anti-tooth decay. If the mouthwash contains fluoride, then that’s even better.
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