Tooth decay is often called the second most prevalent human disease after the common cold. It affects nearly 100% of adults worldwide. Proper tooth decay prevention, however, can minimize its impact on you.
Together with the office of Dr. George P. Cerniglia, General, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry, you can take steps to prevent tooth decay from harming your teeth — or those of your loved ones.
What To Know About Preventing Tooth Decay
The truth is, no single “magic bullet” can stop tooth decay in every case. Instead, fighting tooth decay is a process of preventive maintenance, like taking care of your car — except that (unlike a car) your natural teeth can last a lifetime with proper care.
The basic aspects of tooth decay prevention are practicing good oral hygiene at home and coming into our office for regular cleanings and checkups.
How Does Tooth Decay Start?
The mouth is a dynamically balanced ecosystem where helpful and harmful bacteria are constantly interacting. In the presence of certain sugars and acidic foods, harmful bacteria can produce acids that cause teeth to lose minerals and begin breaking down. For residents in Metairie, LA, understanding this balance is essential to maintaining good oral health and preventing issues like tooth decay.
In more favorable conditions, the damage these pathogens cause is undone by the body’s own healing mechanisms — which includes your healthy saliva. Our goal in tooth decay prevention is to tip the balance in favor of the beneficial processes.
How Do Dentists Detect and Prevent Tooth Decay?
If you’ve been coming in for routine visits, you’re probably already familiar with the special tools we use to remove buildups of plaque (a bacterial biofilm) and tartar (a hardened deposit, also called calculus) from your teeth. We may use hand-held instruments, ultrasonic scalers, or both to clean your teeth thoroughly. Afterward, we check carefully for tooth decay and treat cavities when necessary.
For patients particularly prone to tooth decay, we can demonstrate effective brushing techniques and recommend other steps to take at home, like changing your diet or using special toothpastes or rinses. In some cases, anti-bacterial or topical fluoride treatments for teeth may be beneficial.
If your child’s teeth are susceptible to decay, we can apply a dental sealant. This is a practically invisible layer of plastic resin placed on the top (chewing) surfaces of the back teeth. It’s a painless procedure that fills in the natural pits and folds of the teeth, making them more resistant to bacterial damage.
How Can I Prevent Tooth Decay?
Regular checkups with your dentist are a great way to prevent cavities and detect early signs of tooth decay. However, you should also take the following tooth decay prevention steps at home:
- Brush your teeth twice daily
- Floss regularly
- Limit acidic foods since they can demineralize and weaken your teeth
- Avoid processed and sugary foods, which can erode enamel and feed oral bacteria
- Increase your intake of Vitamin D and calcium-rich foods to strengthen enamel
- Drink fluoridated water to help prevent cavities
How Can I Prevent Cavities Naturally?
While modern dentistry has made great strides in tooth decay prevention, there are many natural ways to care for your teeth. Many of the above suggestions — like brushing and flossing — are natural, but some people also use these natural tooth decay prevention strategies:
- Eating a balanced diet — This includes prioritizing natural foods and cutting back on processed foods.
- Using herbal toothpaste — Fluoride is a natural substance, but herbal toothpastes often add natural bacterial-fighting ingredients like aloe vera, white tea extract, and peppermint oil.
- Embracing xylitol — Xylitol is a natural sugar substitute that doesn’t cause cavities and actually prevents the growth of oral bacteria.
Contact Us Today for Exceptional Dental Care
Whether you have questions about tooth decay causes or want to learn more about tooth decay prevention, call Dr. George P. Cerniglia, General, Cosmetic & Laser Dentistry.We can work together to create an individualized plan to prevent tooth decay from affecting you or your loved ones. Contact us today at (504) 454-5880 to schedule an appointment.