Dental

The development of dental cavities is caused by three important factors. These include the constant presence of bacteria in the oral cavity, the prolonged contact of the teeth with food debris and the inherent susceptibility of the teeth to decay. A regular pool of bacteria inhabits our mouth. Acid is formed when these bacteria interact with food residues that are left to accumulate on the tooth surface. The acid formed during bacterial interaction dissolves the tooth enamel. Enamel is the tooth’s outermost protective covering. Once a cavity is detected, proper measures should be taken by your dentist to halt further damage. That is why a regular visit to the dentist is necessary to constantly check for any developing caries and any other dental and oral anomalies.

Studies show that the average American eats about 155 pounds of sugar annually. This makes America, a nation of sweet tooth. It is estimated that one fourth of our total sugar intake comes from prepared foods including candies and soft drinks. People with a high-refined food and a high sugar content diet are more predisposed to dental caries.

The prevention of the development of dental caries plays an important role in maintaining a good oral health. How can you prevent the development of dental caries?

Proper oral hygiene is essential in preventing dental caries. Be sure to brush your teeth after every meal. A good brushing technique is necessary in order to completely remove any food remnants that accumulate on the tooth surface. Most dental practitioners suggest that we should brush our teeth for at least 3 minutes. Good oral hygiene also includes the use of dental floss at least two or three times a day. It is usually a good practice to thoroughly clean our teeth before going to bed for two reasons. First, the lesser amount of sugar and food debris left in our mouth while we sleep will mean a reduced acid production by bacteria. Second, our tongue and saliva’s cleaning actions are often limited during the long sleeping period. Accumulated food debris on the tooth surface without the flushing actions of saliva and tongue will result to an increased bacterial acid production.

Diet is also an important factor in the prevention of dental caries. Allow yourself to have a sufficient diet, which consists largely of natural foods. As much as possible limit your consumption of processed foods like pastries, candies and soft drinks. These types of foods have enormous amount of sugar content.

Finally, despite any meticulous oral hygiene, cavities may still develop. It is important, therefore, to have a regular visit to the dentist. A regular appointment will enable your dentist to routinely check for any dental problems and suggests proper methods of caring for your dentition.