The main culprit in tooth decay is usually acid. When food is frequently left on your teeth, bacteria that live in the mouth can thrive on it, which in turn produces acid. Given enough time, the acid produced by bacteria can damage your enamel, causing tooth decay. Left unchecked, tooth decay and cavities can lead to possible infection and tooth loss, not to mention painful toothaches.
Preventing Tooth Decay Disease
There are a number of simple things you can do to reduce your risk of cavities and help with early tooth decay.
- Brush twice and floss once daily using proper flossing and brushing techniques.
- Use a toothpaste that contains fluoride to help strengthen enamel.
- Avoid eating sweets or starchy snacks between meals. The harmful bacteria in your mouth feed off these foods and thrive when they are present.
- Chew sugarless gum flavoured with Xylitol help keep your mouth clean, and promote saliva production.
- Avoid beverages that can damage your enamel, such as soft drinks, sports drinks and acidic fruit juices.
- See your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
Taking care of your teeth on a daily basis can prevent cavities from forming and leave you with a healthy smile that will last a lifetime.