Tips To Prevent Cavities From a General Dentist

General dentists can offer patients the advice and guidance they need to support a healthy mouth, including how to prevent cavities. Cavity prevention is essential in ensuring good oral health, which is why consulting with a general dentist on a regular basis is a good idea. 

About cavities

One of the most common reasons why patients visit a general dentist is to treat a cavity. Additionally, general dentists can help educate individuals on how to prevent cavities from developing. 

Cavities are tooth infections that eat away at the enamel. Long-term, cavities can result in tooth decay and even loss.  

Preventing the formation of cavities

Cavities do not support a patient's good oral health, making it essential for everyone to understand how to prevent them, to begin with. The information below comes right from a general dentist and is on the topic of how to prevent cavities from developing.

Learn how to properly brush and floss

Many dental patients will quickly brush and floss their teeth, which means they are probably not getting the benefit of proper brushing and flossing. Patients need to brush their teeth at least twice a day and for at least two minutes each time. Holding the soft-bristled toothbrush at a 45° angle helps to efficiently remove any food particles or plaque that can lead to cavities forming. Flossing should be done at least once a day. The floss should be carefully placed in between the teeth and then slowly pulled up each side of the tooth in order to remove any plaque or food particles.

Avoid consuming sugary foods and drinks

Bacteria loves sugar! This makes it so those who choose to consume foods or drinks that contain a lot of sugars are more likely to develop the tooth decay that leads to cavities. For those who find it difficult to remove sugar-bases foods and drinks from their diet, general dentists recommend consuming less of these sugary options is a good idea. Additionally, rinsing the mouth out immediately after consuming these high sugar foods and drinks can be helpful as it washes away any reminiscences of sugar. 

Get dental sealants

Some patients will benefit from having dental sealants placed on their teeth in order to prevent cavities from forming. Dental sealants are a thin protective covering that is applied to teeth with the purpose of protecting the teeth from any outside elements that can damage them. The process of having dental sealants placed on one's teeth does not take long to perform and can be accomplished in just one dental visit by a general dentist. Sealants last an average of two years, making them a common treatment option for the prevention of cavities.

Got cavities?

The sooner cavities are treated, the sooner patients can once again be in good oral health. In order to prevent future cavities, following the above tips is necessary. For patients who want or need more in-depth information on how to prevent cavities, making a list of questions to ask at the next dental appointment is a great idea.

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