4 Things You Can Do To Avoid Cavities

For many people, visiting the dentist isn't a pleasant experience. More often than not, though, this has less to do with the dentist than with the sorry state of the patient's dental health and the huge cost to fix it. One of the biggest culprits of sub-par dental health is the simple cavity--a hole in the tooth caused by plaque and the germs it carries. Read on to discover four easy ways to avoid cavities (and sky-high dental bills) in the future.

Brush Your Teeth

Okay, so maybe you heard the mantra "brush your teeth!" one too many times as a kid, but your parents and dentist weren't wrong. Brushing your teeth with fluoride-filled toothpaste helps not only to remove food particles, but also nasty plaque, sugar and acid that may have built up over the course of the day. Brush for at least two minutes with a toothbrush that has firm bristles, but remember not to brush with too much pressure--doing so could remove the protective enamel on your teeth and speed up tooth decay.

Stay Away From Sugar and Acid

While brushing your teeth helps a great deal to remove the remains of sugary and acidic foods, it's best to try to avoid them altogether. This means cutting down on fruit juice, soda and candy, as well as foods rich in carbohydrates that also contain a great deal of glucose, such as potatoes and bread. Consuming any of these foods or drinks after brushing your teeth at night can be especially harmful.

Floss

Flossing is just as important as brushing your teeth, especially after meals. Even though your teeth might look clean upon a close inspection, no amount of brushing can reach as effectively in between teeth as a good flossing can. Remember to floss gently below the gum line, so as to prevent any minor pain that might occur because of contact with the gums. There's no substitute for a thorough flossing every day. 

Annual Checkups

Even if you do your part at home to keep your teeth clean, don't forget to schedule annual appointments at the dentist's office for a more thorough cleaning and checkup. Dentists can completely remove plaque build-up with specialized tools and a fluoride cleaning, as well as check for early signs of tooth decay. They can also recommend you to specialists in the case of more serious dental issues, and schedule your next appointment. 

For more information, contact Gentle Breeze Dental or a similar location.

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