Oral and dental hygiene can help prevent cavities and tooth decay. Here are some tips to help prevent cavities. Consult your dentist for the best advice for you.
- Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after eating or drinking. Brush your teeth at least twice a day, especially after each meal, with a fluoride toothpaste. To clean between your teeth, use dental floss or an interdental cleaner.
- Rinse your mouth. If your dentist believes you are at risk of developing cavities, he or she may recommend a mouthwash with fluoride.
- Visit the dentist regularly. Have professional dental cleanings and regular oral exams, which can help you prevent or catch problems early, and your doctor can recommend appointments that are convenient for you.
- Try using dental stamps. The sealing seal is a protective plastic coating applied to the chewing surface of the back teeth. It closes cavities and fissures that tend to collect food, protecting tooth enamel from plaque and acid. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends seals for all school-age children. Sealants may last for several years before they need to be replaced, but they should be checked regularly.
- Drink tap water. Most public water supplies have added fluoride, which can help reduce tooth decay significantly. If you only drink bottled water that does not contain fluoride, you will be depriving yourself of the benefits of fluoride.
- Avoid eating snacks or drinks frequently. Whenever you eat or drink other than water, you help oral bacteria produce acids that can destroy tooth enamel. And if you’re snacking or drinking all day, your teeth will be at constant risk.
- Eat foods that maintain dental health. There are some foods and drinks that are better for your teeth than others. Avoid eating foods that stick to the grooves and cavities of the teeth for long periods, such as potato chips, candy, or biscuits, or brush your teeth quickly after eating them. However, foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables can increase salivary flow. Unsweetened coffee, unsweetened tea, and sugar-free gum help clean up food particles.
- Try fluoride treatments. Your dentist may recommend periodic fluoride treatments, especially if you are not getting enough from drinking water and other fluoride-containing sources. He may also recommend custom plaques that fit over your teeth to apply prescription fluoride if your risk of tooth decay is very high.
- Ask about antibacterial treatments. If you’re at particular risk of tooth decay — due to a medical condition, for example — your dentist may recommend special antibacterial mouthwashes or other treatments to help reduce harmful bacteria in your mouth.
- Combined treatments. Chewing xylitol-based gum along with prescription fluoride can help reduce the risk of tooth decay.
