Did you know that approximately 26% of adults in the U.S. have untreated tooth decay? You don’t want to join this population. Alongside making biannual dental cleaning appointments, there are various steps that go into ensuring you avoid tooth decay in the long run. Let’s review them.
Prioritize Quality Food
Various foods can cause significant damage to your teeth. Taking the time to establish what food is healthy for your teeth should be the first step towards protecting them against tooth decay. Usually, you will need to avoid foods that might get stuck in the pits and grooves of your teeth. Alternatively, you could consider brushing your teeth as soon as you finish eating.
At the same time, you might want to avoid sugary foods. Unsweetened coffee, tea, and gum will help wash away such food particles. In addition, it would help if you avoided frequent snacking and sipping, as it increases bacteria that could affect your enamel in the long run.
Get Quality Treatments
There are two treatment options you can consider for your dental health: fluoride and antibacterial. Periodic fluoride treatments ensure that you are much healthier in the long run. This treatment keeps your teeth more vital, preventing tooth decay. In most cases, fluoride treatment is part of the dental cleaning, and you could use fluoridated water to do it.
You could also opt for antibacterial treatment. This approach would suffice if you are on medication that makes you more vulnerable to tooth decay. Your dentist will recommend various techniques, including comprehensive dental cleaning that helps cut down on the bacteria in your mouth.
At the same time, you might consider dental sealants, which you’ll apply to the chewing surface of your teeth. This step ensures that no food particles get stuck in the apertures and pits in the teeth.
Brush and Rinse Your Mouth
Regular brushing and rinsing will help keep your mouth healthier. Ensure that you use fluoride toothpaste, as it helps strengthen the enamel. You can also floss the teeth from time to time. On the other hand, rinsing your mouth will help keep you away from dental cavities.
Once you finish brushing and rinsing your mouth, ensure that you drink some tap water. Tap water comes with enough fluoride, meaning it assures you of better enamel health in the long run.
Schedule a Dental Appointment Today
The steps above will help protect you against tooth decay. You can use one or a combination of treatments, depending on what you want to achieve. Your dentist will also take the time to check for signs of tooth decay. So, be sure to call Sninski and Schmitt Family Dentistry for any concerns. Luckily, we have two convenient locations. You can reach us at our Holly Springs dentist office at (919) 600-6262 and our Cary, NC dentist office at (919) 467-2203. Or, feel free to fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.