Three Tips on Caring for Cavities

The following article may appear to be common sense and most of it is. However, it can be helpful to be reminded of these three noteworthy tips for preventing cavities.

By definition, cavities are holes in the teeth that are formed by the presence of corrosive acids. These acids are formed as a byproduct of a build of bacteria known as plaque. Cavities are prevalent in modern times as a lot of foods today are high in starches and sugars. With this in mind, it is important to be attentive to what you eat if you wish to avoid this potentially painful dental condition.

A diet high in sugar, refined processed foods, and acids exposes one to a greater risk of developing tooth decay. One interesting thing to note is that there are over five hundred types of bacteria that inhabit the mouth. Bacteria are best controlled when deprived of some of their main sources of food. With this in mind, it is generally a good idea to ensure that food particles are thoroughly absent from the mouth when not eating. 

In a fight for survival, bacteria will eat almost any food source it can find. Food sources for the bacteria are limited to composed sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, and cooked starches. When bacteria digest foods, they leach out a naturally occurring chemical known as lactic acid. This causes enamel to become especially vulnerable to damage. For more information about acids as related to oral health, check out our post Acids in Foods and Drink. Cavities typically manifest in places where plaque settles into the fissures and pits of teeth, cavities can also occur at the gum line. When a cavity penetrates past the soft dentin layer of the tooth into the nerve, pain is typically felt.

Thankfully there is hope. By understanding how bacteria interact with tooth decay, you can prevent and even reverse some cavities. To start off, it is best to understand and a few basic things about oral care.
 
Keep Up With Your Dental Hygiene

       Brush, floss, and use mouthwash daily to maintain proper hygiene. Many dental professionals recommend flossing at least once a day to deter the growth of bacteria in the crevices between teeth. Mouthwash is also very useful in helping slow down a cavity. To get the most from mouthwash, it is best to purchase a fluoride-containing brand. If possible, use the mouthwash right before you go to sleep. This will allow the mouthwash to better absorb and as a result, it will more effectively strengthen and protect enamel.
 
Use Fluoride in moderation

        Fluoride is ordinarily found in toothpaste and even in most tap water. Fluoride can even be found naturally in some meats such as fish and eggs. Fluoride has the potential to reverse cavity growth. If it is caught in the early stages of the problem, a cavity treated with fluoride can do just about a complete one-eighty. Assuming that you want to slow cavity growth and protect teeth from decay, it is particularly useful to apply fluoride. 

Reduce Sugary Foods 

      Junk foods and soda drinks should be greatly reduced to prevent cavities.  Those with a sweet tooth should brush lightly as soon as possible after eating. If you chew gum, select a gum with Xylitol. Xylitol is particularly effective at creating an environment in which s. mutans and other bacteria cannot survive. This natural extract is immensely effective in slowing cavity development and it is also mildly sweet-tasting.

* for more information on xylitol, check out our previous post, benefits of xylitol.