How To Prevent Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is the damage of the construction the tooth that affects the enamel, or the outer covering of the tooth, and its layer. The decay occurs when food particles are left between the teeth feeding the bacteria and turning these particles into acids. These acids, saliva, food debris, and the bacteria combined themselves and cling to the teeth as plaque. Because of the acids in the plaque, the outer coating of the tooth, or enamel, is dissolved. These holes are cavities that have to be prevented.

Prevention of tooth decay involves the following:

1. Every after meal and before retiring to bed, it is important to brush the teeth. The toothbrush must have a good kind of toothpaste. A fluoride containing toothpaste is recommended by most dentists.
2. Use dental floss or cleaners such as Sulcabrush, Reach Stim-U-Dent, and Oral-B Interdental Brush. Dentists recommend these interdental cleaners to clean between the teeth.
3. Be cautious about what you eat. They must be balanced and nutritious meals. Snacks should be limited; carbohydrates and candies should be avoided. For sticky foods, a follow up brushing is required.
4. Ask your dentist regarding the use of supplemental fluoride, dental sealants and fluoridated water. These are protective things needed by the teeth. Fluoride strengthens the teeth, sealants are protective coatings that protect the molars from decay, and fluoridated water gives strength to the teeth in order to fight tooth decay.
5. Have a regular visit to the dentist for oral exam and professional cleanings.

There are studies that contribute to the new means of preventing tooth decay. One study shows that xylitol, a sweetener in one type of chewing gum, can temporarily retard the progress of bacteria on the decayed tooth. Researchers are still trying to find some materials that will slowly retard or prevent tooth decay.

If good preventive measures will be followed, the percentage of children with tooth decay will be lessened. To keep your teeth healthy and clean, some additional steps could be followed: 

• Use toothbrush with rounded soft bristles to brush the teeth habitually after eating.
• Repair enamel by using fluoride toothpaste.
• Change toothbrush every three or four months. Do not wait for bristles to become ineffective.
• Use a tongue cleaner or brush it to remove bacteria .
• Use fluoride rinse after brushing.
• To kill bacteria and heal inflamed gums, use an herbal rinse that contains Echinacea, goldenseal, or tea tree oil.
• Reduce sugar consumption by eating raw vegetables or unsweetened yogurt.
• Eat high in calcium foods like milk, orange juice, sardines, and broccoli.

Dentists recommend that we do not just brush our teeth twice a day but every after meal or in between. Many problems including heart disease may be suffered if we are lazy in cleaning our own teeth. Other serious conditions like gum disease may be experienced with a build up of plaque. Gum inflammation or gingivitis, affects the structure of the teeth causing them to fall out when they are loose.