Food decay is the process whereby, bacteria in our mouth digest foods like milk, cereal, bread, cakes and sweets and turn them into acid. These foods, bacteria, acids and saliva combine to form plaque, leading to tooth decay. Acids in plaque dissolve on the enamel surface of the teeth and cause holes known as cavities.
Before i start the prevention methods of tooth decay, let’s talk about some common causes of tooth decay.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Plaques build up in our teeth if we do not brush and floss regularly. This plaque attacks our enamel thereby causing tooth decay. We should make sure we brush everyday, at least twice a day. And also, make sure we floss after every meal.
Dry Mouth
Saliva in your mouth helps to cleanse your mouth of plaque. Make sure you are always hydrated to avoid increasing your chances of tooth decay.
Eating and Drinking
No one is saying you should not eat or drink but when you do, especially if it sugary foods like cakes and sweets, dry cereals and any other kind of drink that is not water, brush properly to avoid the formation of plaques.
Bacteria and Acid
Your mouth becomes a natural environment for plaque if there is lingering bacteria an acids in it. You have to make conscious efforts to avoid this situation.
Genetics
Just as we inherit our hair texture and body size, so do some of us inherit crevices and enamel problem that lead to cavities.
Avoiding The Dentist
Most of us go years without ever visiting a dentist. That is very unhealthy. It is advised that we visit the dentist at least once every six months.
The dentist does not only examine the condition of our teeth, he also offers medical solution in the event that we have tooth decay and gum problems.
How To Prevent Tooth Decay
There are many precautionary measures you can use to prevent tooth decay, but here are just a few basic and effective ones.
Toothbrush
We should put into consideration the kind of toothbrush we need to effectively make sure we want to keep plague or any kind of tooth decay problems at bay.
Dental Floss
It is very healthy to floss regularly. It helps remove food particles that are stuck between the teeth. Flossing is a sure way to prevent dental cavities and gum problems.
Mouthwash
Mouthwash does not leave your mouth feeling clean and your breath fresh, it kills bacteria that can cause plague. It also helps fight gum diseases like gingivitis, also, mouthwash can help to mask bad breath. but this is a short term solution, since the cause of the bad breath has not been taken care of. ‘listerine’ is the most recommended type of mouthwash.
These are a few ways to make sure you maintain your dental health generally. But ultimately, a visit to the dentist, would give a better knowledge of all these ideas and so much more to help you keep your teeth healthy and sparkly.
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