That zinging sensitivity you feel when enjoying your ice cream or coffee may be the early indicator of tooth decay. Learning you have a cavity isn’t the end of the world, but wouldn’t it be great to avoid having a filling? Did you know that you could actually prevent tooth decay? Your dentist in Liberty, MO discusses how to avoid tooth decay with a few easy tips!
Avoid Snacking
Snacking throughout the day actually increases your risk for tooth decay, especially when you snack on starchy or sugary foods. These foods tend to get stuck in the grooves of your teeth, which means that they stick around longer than most food debris and they have more time to create the acids that eventually destroy your enamel. Keeping snacks to a minimum, eating healthy snacks, brushing after you snack are all great ways to avoid tooth decay.
Eat Healthy Foods
Most of us understand how bad sugar is for our teeth. We know that it fuels the bacteria and acids that cause tooth decay. Did you know, however that eating healthy fruits and vegetables actually helps to prevent cavities? Fruits and vegetables neutralize acids and increase saliva flow, which helps to wash away the food debris that turns into plaque, which causes tooth decay.
Regular Dental Visits
Visiting your dentist twice per year not only removes plaque build up, it also ensures that you have the best chance of preventing conditions such as periodontal disease or tooth decay. Your dentist will screen for these issues at your regular cleaning appointments and can detect tooth decay in its earliest stages, which means less invasive treatment for you, and even reversing tooth decay in some cases.
Brush and Floss Regularly
Brushing and flossing your teeth after every meal is the best way to prevent tooth decay, however at least twice per day is acceptable to ensure that you’re removing plaque and bacteria build up from your teeth. Your hygienist can give you tips and recommendations for improving your home care techniques at your regular dental visits.
Dr. Michael Byars helps patients prevent tooth decay and maintain optimum oral health in Liberty, MO. We offer high quality dental care to patients of all ages and our team is highly skilled, gentle, and caring. You’ll find a wide range of services that are designed to meet all of your dental needs. From implant dentistry to cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Byars has got you covered. Contact our office today to learn more.