The Best Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay

 

What tooth decay? I hear you say. But the sad fact is that over 60% of people living in the United States have or have had cavities, making it one of the most common diseases today. The good news, however, is that there are plenty of steps you can take to prevent tooth decay from occurring in your mouth and teeth – here are just five of them!

 

1)      Floss before bed

If you want to prevent tooth decay, one of your best options is flossing. You should try and floss before bed each night because if you wait until morning, your mouth will be full of food particles that are too hard for flossing. Instead, spend a few minutes in front of your mirror with some dental floss. Start by running a bit of water in your mouth first (warm or cold) and make sure that you’re holding on firmly to both ends of the floss. Then start at one side and work toward another so that you’re cutting off any food from between your teeth as well as removing plaque from those surfaces. Also,, make sure that you're regularly visiting your dentist!

 

2)      Brush twice a day

Brushing your teeth is an easy step you can take to prevent tooth decay. Brush at least twice a day (but not after every meal!) and if possible, brush in a circular motion on each side of your mouth for two minutes. You don’t need expensive brushing tools or gadgets; just use a soft-bristled toothbrush with fluoride toothpaste that has been approved by your dentist or dental hygienist. If you want some natural alternatives, try baking soda and salt! Add about a half teaspoon of baking soda and one-quarter teaspoon of salt (which together equal one teaspoon) into your regular toothpaste, then brush as usual.

 

3)      Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash

You can’t prevent tooth decay all by yourself. You need your toothbrush and mouthwash, too. The best mouthwashes not only kill bad bacteria but also contain ingredients that help prevent new plaque from forming on your teeth after you brush them. Prescription-strength mouthwashes are incredibly effective at keeping your mouth healthy, but they’re also known for their intense burning sensations and strong tastes. There are plenty of nonprescription brands of anti-bacterial mouthwash, though—and if you don’t have dental insurance, they might be even more affordable than name brands. If there are lots of ways to prevent tooth decay out there, why should you pick an anti-bacterial one?

 

4)      Take supplements

Vitamin supplements can be a great way to ensure you’re getting enough vitamins in your diet. If you’re worried about tooth decay, it can be helpful to supplement with calcium and vitamin D. The best time of day to take these supplements is after your meals, which will allow them ample time for absorption before bedtime. You may want to invest in a separate multivitamin as well—but make sure it contains these two key ingredients! More research on vitamin supplementation is needed before we can say conclusively that taking certain vitamins improves oral health, but many studies point toward promising outcomes.

 

5)      Eat healthier snacks

You’ve heard it time and again—it’s important to eat healthier snacks. But what constitutes a healthy snack? Vegetables are often seen as a good snack, but they contain lots of starch and can easily be high in calories. (Who said eating carrots was good for your eyes?) Similarly, fruit is another food that’s often considered a healthy choice, but its natural sugar content can also be dangerous if you’re trying to lose weight or lower your cholesterol. Protein-rich foods like nuts make better snacks because they won't cause weight gain and will keep you feeling full longer. To make sure that your snacks are helping instead of hurting your teeth and gums, read on! If you have an hour to spare: Take an hour and sit down with pen and paper, then think about your diet. What do you usually eat? Is there anything unhealthy about it? How could you improve it?

 

6)      Brush Properly

One of your first lines of defense against tooth decay is, well, brushing your teeth. It’s important to brush for two minutes twice a day—morning and night. But using an electric toothbrush like Philips Sonicare DiamondClean can make things more efficient. The toothbrush has 31,000 brushes per minute, which means you spend less time doing it while getting more thorough cleanings. And if that wasn’t enough of a reason to consider one, it also gives off high-intensity pulsations (HIP) in addition to its sonic cleaning capabilities.

 

7)      Take Your Time

The longer sugar remains in your mouth, the more time you give it to cause damage. This is why you should try not to eat or drink for at least an hour after brushing your teeth; allowing all of that sugar and acid contact with enamel can really add up over time. Your dentist may suggest using a fluoride-containing mouthwash as well, and don’t forget about flossing! People who do so have been shown to have fewer cavities than those who don’t—and they experience less bleeding while flossing, too. Don’t worry: We didn’t leave out a diet! Research shows that people who drink more water and eat more fruit are less likely to develop tooth decay.