They say that tooth decay is the second most common disease after the common cold, so it’s no surprise that a lot of people are struggling to figure out how to stop tooth decay. We know that one of the reasons why you are currently reading this is because you want to know how to prevent tooth decay so you can stop it from happening!
Some people take their oral health for granted (you better not be one of them). They don’t know that it is one of the most essential parts of our daily lives. Having cavities and unhealthy teeth can cause huge problems, not just for your self-confidence but for your well-being as well. Research says that over 30,000 Americans suffer from oral cancer each year, and you don’t want to be part of that statistic. Tooth decay is known to spread quickly, so to avoid that, you should know the early signs of tooth decay so it can be detected and treated as quickly as possible.
Early Signs of Tooth Decay
The signs and symptoms of tooth decay can vary from person to person and depend on various factors. Some people can experience tooth decay at their gum line, while others may see tooth decay on the bottom or behind their teeth. According to the Mayo Clinic, some of the early signs of tooth decay and their symptoms include:
- Toothache, spontaneous pain or pain that occurs without any apparent cause
- Tooth sensitivity
- Mild to sharp pain when eating or drinking something sweet, hot or cold
- Visible holes or pits in your teeth
- Brown, black or white staining on any surface of a tooth
- Pain when you bite down
How to Stop Tooth Decay
There are simple things that you can try to keep your teeth safe. We prepared a list of 5 simple things you can do to prevent tooth decay and protect that dazzling smile.
1. Floss and brush your teeth regularly with fluoride toothpaste
Brushing your teeth is the most common thing to do if you want to take good care of your oral hygiene. Paired with flossing, this good habit can help lessen the cavities that are staying in your mouth. While brushing and flossing are important, you should also make sure that you are using the right oral health products that will help you prevent tooth decay.
Fluoride has a way of helping our teeth stay strong and healthy. By directly using it as a toothpaste, it speeds up remineralization and slows the breakdown of enamel. It also prevents cavities in both children and adults, strengthens weak spots, and prevents tooth decay.
Brush your teeth 2 or 3 times a day. And don’t forget to floss! Proper dental flossing helps prevent tooth decay along your gum line and reduces your risk of developing gum disease. Also, flossing allows you to check your mouth for any unhealthy symptoms. If you don’t do this, you will not be able to remove plaque build-up between your teeth, which might lead to a severe dental issue called Gingivitis.
2. Rinse regularly using a mouthwash
Another way to help you prevent tooth decay is to rinse your mouth with a quality mouthwash. Doing so helps reduce the number of bacteria in your mouth that might cause bad breath and unhealthy gums. It strengthens enamel and minerals, protects your teeth from harmful acids, and gives you fresher breath. Also, if you choose a mouthwash that has a low concentration of hydrogen peroxide, it can whiten your teeth.
Your choice in mouthwash matters, as not all types make the cut to keeping your mouth healthy. Mouth rinses that contain alcohol can be too harsh and lead to dry mouth. If you’re up to trying something new, go for a mouthwash that uses revolutionary Nano Silver technology to improve your oral hygiene.
Rinsing with mouthwash helps fight plaque and prevent tartar build-up, which are typical culprits of tooth decay. However, this can only be effective when accompanied with a proper oral hygiene regimen. Even if you use mouthwash, you still need to brush your teeth for effective tooth decay prevention. Just don’t swallow it as ingesting mouthwash can cause vomiting, upset stomach, and other problems.
3. Observe proper diet
They say, “You are what you eat.”. Well, this is true for your teeth and gums, too. When you drink and eat starchy or sugary foods, you are not only feeding yourself, but you are also feeding the germs that cause tooth decay and gum disease in your mouth.
Plaque is a thin, invisible, sticky film of bacteria that covers all the surfaces of your teeth. When you eat sugars or starches and they come in contact with plaque, they form acids. These acids can break down hard enamel on the surface of your teeth, which may lead to tooth decay or bacteria build-up that could trigger an inflammatory response.
So to maintain healthier teeth and gums and to prevent tooth decay, you might want to switch your diet to something healthier, too. Eat tooth-healthy foods like fiber-rich vegetables and fruits because fiber helps keep your teeth and gums clean. Also, eating dairy like cheese is a must. Cheese is high in calcium and protein that is good at strengthening enamel and increasing saliva production in the mouth.
Just know that saliva reduces the effects of acids and enzymes attacking your teeth, and it also contains traces of calcium and phosphate that helps restore minerals to the areas of your teeth.
4. Visit your dentist regularly
The obvious reason why anyone goes to their dentist is to take care of their teeth. The dentist has the tools and the knowledge to combat what brushing and flossing cannot do. There are still bits of plaque left in your mouth that dissolves in your teeth and causes decay. So even if you brush your teeth, floss regularly and use mouthwash, you still need to see a dentist.
Tartar is one example of something that is impossible to remove without dentist tools and skills. Without bi-yearly cleanings, your teeth may reach a point where it might require an operation due to severe damage.
All of these problems listed above revolve around one thing: expensive medical procedures. So to prevent tooth decay and to prevent you from spending a lot of money, go visit your dentist. They will help you avoid severe decay and damage to the inside of your mouth. Prevention is always easier and better than a cure, so pay those regular visits to your dentist to avoid such problems.
5. Get Dental Sealants
Dental Sealant is another kind of dental treatment that helps prevent tooth decay. They are usually placed on the chewing surface of the permanent back of our teeth. Though it is not a mandatory thing to do, some dentists recommend that you do this to give your molar and premolar teeth the extra protection they need.
Molar and premolar teeth are the ones responsible for grinding the food we eat. They have fissures that are deep and difficult to clean. Mostly, plaque accumulates in these areas, attacking the enamel of our teeth which develops into cavities. So if you’re wondering how to stop tooth decay from leaving pits and holes in your teeth, you might want to ask your dentist for this procedure.
Prevent Your Teeth From Cavities and Decay
Your oral health is a window to your overall health. It is the entry point to your digestive and respiratory tracts, so not taking good care of your oral health can cause you to suffer from diseases, not just in your mouth, but also inside your body.
So, if you want to prevent tooth decay, always remember to eat healthily and avoid sugary snacks. Brush your teeth and floss them daily. Protect your teeth with the use of mouthwash, and don’t forget your regular dental check-up!
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