Your teeth are tough. Mother Nature created a durable structure consisting of an outer layer (enamel), a middle layer (dentin), and the interior (pulp) where the nerves and blood supply are housed.
Even the healthiest teeth are susceptible to damage, and you’ve always got to be on the lookout for a tooth’s main enemy: tooth decay. As bacteria digest food particles left on your teeth, they turn into acids which morph into plaque and create holes in enamel. If left untreated, cavities can spread and cause destruction to all of three tooth layers.
Here are six things you can do to guard your teeth and gums against tooth decay:
1. Practice good dental hygiene. There is no substitute for dedicated brushing and flossing. Ideally, you should aim to brush after every meal and snack. For optimal protection, have an experienced dentist show you the best technique. My team and I can also educate you on the type of brush, toothpaste, floss, and fluoride rinse.
2. Eat well. Enjoying a balanced diet low in sugar with controlled “sticky” carbohydrates like cereal, rice, chips, and cake can reduce the risk of harmful acid forming in your mouth and becoming plaque.
3. Time your eating sensibly. It’s not just sugary or starchy foods that can encourage cavity growth. If you snack between meals, your enamel is exposed to food acids continually, without providing ample time for saliva to clear away acids and allow repair of any superficial damage. Longer periods between eating sessions gives your mouth time to cleanse thoroughly.
4. Instill good eating habits in children. Primary teeth (or baby teeth) are very vulnerable to decay. To help your children maintain healthy teeth, limit foods with added sugar, especially soda, limit snacking, schedule regular dental visits, and agree to have dental sealants placed soon after your dentist recommends them.
5. Schedule fillings right when you need them. Areas of decay tend to grow as the bacteria continue to feed. To prevent the spread of decay, take your dentist’s advice and have any tooth restoration procedures necessary to contain small cavities. A skillfully applied dental filling can stop the spread of destructive bacteria cold.
6. See your dentist for semi-annual visits. Our digital X-rays and oral examinations are invaluable for discovering small cavities before they become big ones. Once we find evidence of tooth decay, we can treat it right away and save your smile from the pitfalls of bacteria attack.
Wellness care is integral to protecting your teeth from damage. To learn more about what you can do to prevent tooth destruction, schedule a wellness visit with our Boulder, Colorado dental practice.
Dr. Ania
Comprehensive & Cosmetic Dentistry
