It’s not easy to keep track of your dental health throughout an entire lifetime. But it is one of the essential things we must do if we want to be at the peak of our health.
Tooth decay is a common problem in the U.S. It’s estimated that 90% of American adults have had cavities at some point in their lives. A massive chunk of that population had experienced the worse cases of tooth decay. This number is alarming, and you could quickly be next because studies have also shown that most Americans don’t even know that they have developed tooth decay.
Preventing cavities is one thing we should always persevere on because it’s such a simple task. So here are some creative ways you can prevent tooth decay in your life.
Don’t Overbrush
Brushing is an essential aspect of dental health, but doing it too much can lead to drastic consequences.
Overbrushing can lead to sensitive teeth and can even remove some enamel from your teeth. Enamel is a protective coating that protects the interior parts of your teeth from damage.
Studies have found that brushing three times a day is too much, and you should stick to at least only two times a day. Furthermore, it’s better to use an electric toothbrush as it’s more likely to prevent tooth decay and dental plaque.
Use Straws
It’s not good to drink carbonated, acidic, and sugary drinks. They can punch a hole in your teeth by damaging the enamel surrounding them. However, if you can’t stop yourself from drinking such beverages, consider using straws whenever you do.
Using straws can help you bypass your teeth and put the liquid directly into your throat. This ensures that your teeth won’t be exposed to the liquid while you enjoy its consumption.
Chew Gum
Chewing gum, specifically, sugar-free gum has been known to stimulate saliva production in your mouth. When there is more saliva in your mouth, the more healthy gut bacteria there are to maintain it. That’s why chewing gum is a good activity to do if you’re trying to prevent tooth decay.
Enjoy Your Dairy
Interestingly enough, dairy has a lot of properties that can ensure that your teeth are well-protected from all sorts of dental problems. Dairy has casein, calcium, and phosphorous, all of which are essential in growing healthy and strong teeth. These components have also been known to help maintain your teeth as you age.
Cheese can also produce quality saliva from people. Studies have shown that cheese can produce saliva that is high in alkaline levels. This is good for your daily teeth maintenance.
Get into a Fiber-rich Diet
Fiber has been known to keep our teeth safe from tooth decay. It’s also known to keep your gums healthy. Many nutritionists and dentists suggest switching to a fiber-rich diet if you’re having some dental problems.
Visit a Professional
Even if you follow the tips we’ve mentioned above, it’s not a sure assurance that you’re not going to develop tooth decay in the future. We might not have covered certain unique situations here that only a professional would know how to handle. This is why it’s important to visit a dentist.
Tooth decay is an everyday problem, and at some point, you can’t prevent it by yourself. Visiting your local dental office three times a month will ensure that tooth decay will never happen to you in the future. They will tell you everything you need to know, especially when it comes to the state of your teeth. That knowledge alone will help you to prevent the start of tooth decay.
Develop a Routine
It’s crucial to develop a routine, especially when watching out for your dental health. Brush early in the morning so that can be an activity you can do to wake yourself up. Brush before you go to sleep, so it’s easy to remember. Keep in mind to floss during those times as well. Moreover, visit your dentist on the same days every year. You can even choose to have an appointment ahead of time to ensure that you don’t forget.
A routine will help you remember to take care of your dental health so that it will be integrated into your lifestyle.
If you want to avoid tooth decay, follow the tips we’ve mentioned above, and visit the dentist whenever you can. Moreover, avoid any vices such as alcohol and smoking to ensure that your enamel won’t deteriorate and you won’t have holes in your teeth. By doing these things, you can prevent tooth decay for almost an entire lifetime.
