From a very early age, your dentist will advise you to stay away from unhealthy foods and always take care of brushing and flossing your teeth, but unfortunately with this attention, you may have a cavity in your teeth at some point in your life. Tooth decay, which is often referred to as cavities, can occur at any time. But do not worry, here you need to take care and visit Dr. Borham in Las Cruces, New Mexico without delay.
Dr. Borham explains the best ways to keep your teeth in perfect shape.
Here are eight tips that will help to prevent cavities:
- Brush Your Teeth Regularly
Dr. Borham advises to combat cavities to clean the teeth at least twice a day for at least two minutes each time to avoid the occurrence of cavities. When brushing your teeth, the toothbrush should be at a 45-degree angle to clean the teeth well from all sides, front, back, top and bottom. In addition, the toothbrush should come into contact with both the tooth as well as the gums. It is recommended to use fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss or Clean Between Your Teeth Daily
When eating, some food residues may get stuck between the teeth, and even if you use a toothbrush, it may not remove these residues. If they are not removed, this may lead to tooth decay, unless dental floss is used to clean the teeth. A common problem that hygienists find is that their patients are not flossing their teeth. String floss, flossing brushes, and water flossing devices are different types of floss options available.
- Visit Your Dentist and Dental Hygienist:
Cavities can only be discovered by a dentist or x-ray. Therefore, it is important to visit your dentist for regular routine check-ups to check your teeth, maintain oral hygiene and prevent cavities. You can consult your doctor and take the doctor’s advice regarding dental cleaning.
- Consider Fluoride Treatments
Dr. Borham recommends periodic fluoride treatments, especially if you aren’t getting enough fluoride through fluoridated drinking water and other sources. Dr. Borham may recommend custom trays that fit over your teeth for the application of prescription fluoride if your risk of tooth decay is very high.
- Consider Sealants
Dental sealants are clear coatings applied to the surfaces of a child’s molars to prevent the development of tooth decay. They work by preventing food and plaque from resting in the grooves and crevices of molars – an area especially susceptible to cavities. According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. children ages 6 to 12 currently have sealants on their teeth.
- Eat Healthy Food and Avoid Sugary Drinks
Eating healthy meals helps prevent plaque formation on your teeth, so Dr. Borham advises to stay away from sugary drinks and food that contain sugar, eat healthy food, and drink water instead.
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum
Sugar-free gum stimulates the flow of saliva, which protects your teeth from cavities. Dr. Borham says: When you eat sugar-free gum, it helps produce saliva and protects your teeth from cavities, thus reducing plaque acid.
- Use Mouthwash but Do Not Just Rely on It
Use a mouthwash that contains antimicrobials that reduce plaque, such as Listerine or Crest Pro-Health. Dr. Borham recommends using mouthwash after brushing and flossing, but you can’t rely on it alone so make sure you remove food residue.
Dr. Borham always advises you to consult your dentist and perform a routine dental examination to ensure that no plaque builds up on your teeth and to prevent them from decaying.