prevention of tooth decay
You get one mouth. And one set of adult teeth. Prevention of tooth decay is something everyone is interested in, as it not only impacts your smile, but can a lot of pain. To succeed in the prevention of tooth decay it is best to understand the relationship between carbohydrates and bacteria.
Prevention of tooth decay starts by understanding tooth decay is a process of softening and destroying the hard tissues of the tooth. These tissues are known as dentine and enamel. Tooth decay is treated by removing the parts of the tooth that have gone bad, and then replacing the missing parts with a ‘filling’.
Did you know that there can be a direct relationship between stress and tooth decay? Stress it is reasoned, can lead to an increased desire to “sweeten” our lives and ourselves, resulting in a greater frequency of sugar in our diets. The increased frequency of sugar in the diet leads to tooth decay, this is not a good way to prevent cavities!
It is true that there are many other factors in tooth decay, but this is the major factor and one over which we have direct control over.
Bacteria feeds on the carbohydrate residue foods leave on teeth. The science behind it reveals that bacteria feeding on sugar produces acid, which fuels this erosion process. This acid dissolves the enamel layer of your tooth and creates a hole, which is also called a cavity. Fortunately for you, there are simple ways to initiate responsible prevention of tooth decay.
Brush Your Teeth
The first way to prevent tooth decay from occurring is to simply brush your teeth. At the very minimum, you need to brush your teeth twice a day. However, for the best results you will want to brush your teeth after each time that you eat.
Floss Your Teeth
Another strategy for prevention of tooth decay is to floss between your teeth. The tight areas between your teeth are often missed by your toothbrush. Carbohydrate residues sink into crevices helping a cavity to develop.
Apply a Tooth Sealant
Your dentist has tooth sealants which can be applied to your teeth to prevent tooth decay. This option is great for kids and for adults who dont always brush as often or as long as they should.
Modify Your Eating Habits
Another strategy for the prevention of tooth decay is to modify your eating habits by eating foods that prevent cavities. Carbohydrates are at the root of tooth decay, make changes to your diet so that your teeth are not exposed to as many carbohydrates during the day, especially between meals and right before you go to bed.
Visit Your Dentist
One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay is to visit your dentist at least twice a year Your dentist assists in the prevention of tooth decay by thoroughly cleaning and sealing teeth. Monitoring warning signs is key in preventing tooth decay.
Prevention of tooth decay also involves putting food down before bed.
The final tip in preventing tooth decay is to avoid consuming carbohydrates right before you go to sleep. This means no sugary drinks or snacks that are high in carbohydrates right before you go to sleep. This is because you do not produce as much saliva when you sleep as you do when you are awake, and carbohydrates stay nestled in crevices.
