How Can I Prevent Cavities?

What are cavities and how can we prevent them? Essentially, cavities are holes in the enamel of your tooth. They can cause pain and discomfort, and if left untreated, lead to more decay. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent cavities.

What is a cavity?

A cavity is a hole in your tooth. In the early stages, it may look like a white spot but over time it will begin to look brow or black. They can be big or small. While they can be in many places, they often form on the tops of your teeth, where you bite and in between teeth, where food gets stuck.

Cavities cause pain, sensitivity, infections, and can even cause you to lose your teeth. The best way to keep your teeth healthy is to prevent cavities.

What causes cavities?

During the day, the bacteria in our mouth feed off of the foods we eat. Anytime we eat or drink sugar, the bacteria eat the sugar and turn it into acid. This acid stays on our teeth and essentially attacks the outer surface.

Over time, this acid wears down our teeth, creating a cavity. If the cavity isn’t fixed, the bacteria get inside it and travel from the outside of the tooth into the dentin and then the pulp, creating an infection.

Dental infections can be very serious. If you notice redness, pain and swelling in your face or mouth you should seek care.

Higher Risks for Cavities

Anyone can get cavities, but you may be at a higher risk if you:

• Snack between meals
• Have cracked or chipped teeth
• Eat sugar foods or drinks
• Take medications that cause dry mouth
• Have a personal and/or family history of cavities
• Have had head or neck radiation therapy

How to Prevent Cavities

The best ways to prevent cavities are to maintain good oral health and hygiene habits. This includes:

• Drink plenty of water
• Brush with fluoride toothpaste 2 times a day
• Floss
• Limit sweet snacks between meals
• Limit sugary foods and drinks like candies and soda.
• Don’t sip or snack on sugary things all day. If you are going to eat/drink them, do so at mealtimes and brush after.
• Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams.
• Sealants can be placed on the back teeth to help protect them from bacteria causing cavities in hard-to-reach grooves.

For more help with your oral health, please visit Hackley DDS. Let us take care of your teeth and keep your smile healthy and beautiful!