Preventing Tooth Decay

Preventing Tooth Decay
Posted on 04/12/2016
signs of tooth decay

Preventing Tooth Decay

Maplewood Dental Associates is a leading St. Paul & Maplewood dentistry practice that offers dental care for patients of all ages. Whether you need a Maplewood dentist to care for your children's dental health or are looking for a Maplewood cosmetic dentistry practice to improve the appearance of your smile, we can meet all of your family's dental needs in one convenient location.

Tooth Decay – A Common Problem Among Children and Adults

maplewood_blog20160412Cavities, also known as tooth decay, is a common problem that affects people of all ages. While tooth decay may not put your life in danger, it can negatively impact the quality of your life. If tooth decay is left untreated it can lead to tooth sensitivity, tooth pain, inflammation, infection and eventual tooth loss.

Tips for Preventing Tooth Decay

The good news is that tooth decay is highly preventable. Please read on to learn some valuable tips on how to prevent tooth decay from even starting so you can enjoy a healthy smile for a lifetime.

  • Be diligent with your oral hygiene routine: One of the best ways to prevent tooth decay is to do a great job of brushing and flossing your teeth every day. Brushing after every meal and flossing before bedtime will remove the food particles and built up plaque from your tooth surfaces and between teeth. This will prevent any harmful bacteria present in these bits of food and plaque from harming the enamel and structure of your teeth.

  • Visit your Maplewood dentist regularly: You should make it a priority to visit your dentist twice a year for checkups and routine cleanings, as doing so will help you avoid the negative consequences of tooth decay. Your dentist and hygienist can spot the earliest signs of tooth decay during these routine dental visits before you even know you have a problem developing.

  • Avoid foods that lead to tooth decay: The regular consumption of starchy, sugary and acidic foods put you at high risk for developing tooth decay. Therefore, it's a good idea to limit the number of starchy foods and sweets you eat like chips, cakes, cookies and candies. It's just as important to limit how many sugar-laden beverages you consume, including sodas, energy drinks and fruit juices. Additionally, you should limit how many acidic foods & drinks you consume, including citrus fruits and fruit juices. Due to the fact that fresh fruits are good for you, please be sure to simply brush after you enjoy an orange or a grapefruit, or rinse your mouth out with water afterwards to flush away the harmful acids.

  • Limit between-meal snacks: If you're craving a snack between meals, choose something nutritious and safe for your teeth like plain yogurt, cheese or fiber-rich fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots.

  • Drink lots of water: Drinking plenty of fresh, fluoridated water out of the tap can help prevent tooth decay. Water flushes harmful bacteria off the teeth to help keep your teeth healthy. It is best not to make your main source of drinking water bottled water, as many bottled water brands simply do not contain much, if any, fluoride.

Contact Us Today

If you are due for a checkup and professional cleaning or if you suspect that you may have tooth decay, we encourage you to contact our practice to schedule an appointment. Our talented doctors have years of experience providing exceptional dental care to patients of all ages using the most advanced technologies and procedures. We look forward to seeing you soon and helping you achieve and maintain a healthy & beautiful smile!

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