A cavity is a hole or permanent damage to your tooth that results from tooth decay. If left untreated, the cavity can grow bigger and lead to serious dental issues.
Signs and symptoms of cavities are:
- Sensitive teeth
- Holes in your teeth
- Pain while chewing
- Occurrence of pain or toothache
- Brown, white or black tooth stains.
Causes of Cavities
The main cause of tooth cavities is the buildup of plaque that binds to the teeth. Plaque is a sticky substance that comprises food particles, saliva, acid and bacteria.
After consuming sugary foods, the bacteria contained in your mouth turn the sugar into acid, resulting in plaque formation. As the plaque sticks to your teeth, the acid contained in the plaque leads to erosion of the tooth enamel, which protects your teeth against tooth decay.
Risk Factor of Cavities
Anyone is at risk of developing cavities; however, the risk becomes aggravated due to several factors: insufficient fluoride, eating disorders such as bulimia and anorexia, poor oral hygiene, dry mouth, acid reflux, and too much consumption of acidic or sugary foods.
The back teeth are at a higher risk of developing cavities than the front teeth due to openings that can easily trap food.
How to Prevent Tooth Cavities
Preventive dentistry is the most effective way of preventing tooth cavities. These includes:
Regular Brushing
Brushing your teeth at least twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride can help alleviate the chances of cavities forming. It would be best if you found an ideal toothbrush that can clean every part of your mouth and reach every surface of your teeth.
Bacteria that cause bad odour are normally found on the tongue; finding a toothbrush with a textured tongue cleaner can help remove the bacteria.
Use of Dental Floss
Flossing is also vital in the removal of food particles that could be stuck between your teeth.
Dental Visits
If you’re in Salt Lake City, Utah, you should consider scheduling a dental visit at least once every year to check on the status of your gums or teeth. Frequent dental visits will allow identification of any problems that require to be addressed immediately.
Eat a Balanced Diet
A balanced diet is essential in providing the right nutrients for your teeth. Reducing the intake of sugary foods and simple carbohydrates is important to prevent sugar conversion into acid.
Consuming vitamins is beneficial to your oral health. Eating raw fruits and vegetables can act as a natural scrubber to remove plaque from your teeth.
Drinking plenty of water can help remove the remnant food particles in your mouth.
Benefits of Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry can help reduce your chances of developing dental complications such as gingivitis, cavities or periodontitis
Poor oral health can lead to heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, respiratory disease or diabetes. It can also lead to low birth weight in infants or premature births. Regular dental visits during pregnancy are crucial in promoting the health of your unborn child.
Preventive dentistry at Genesis Dental in Utah and Kansas can considerably save you money by preventing the need for costly dental procedures to restore your dental health. Schedule a visit to your local dentist today, whether you’re in Salt Lake City, Utah or any other part of the globe, a regular visit to your dentist is good for your health.
