Dental cavities are a common health concern that affects not just your smile but your general health. It even causes people to suffer from low self-esteem and low self-confidence. If children are not properly guided, dental caries may persist into adulthood, leading to tooth loss. Maintaining awareness of the causes of dental caries is crucial for choosing the right preventive measures.
Here are 7 innovative ways in which dental cavities can be prevented:
Switch to an electric toothbrush
Manual toothbrushes are the norm from time immemorial, an effective cleaning method as proven today, is switching to an electric toothbrush.
A manual toothbrush may miss one of the five sides of each of our teeth, but an electric toothbrush will never do so. When it comes to cleaning the teeth and removing plaque from in between the teeth, electric toothbrushes outperform manual brushes. This is due to the fact that the majority of these electric toothbrushes have oscillating heads that effectively clean and can rotate in both directions.
These are very simple to use and will make brushing time more enjoyable.
Do not overbrush
The majority of us do not brush our teeth correctly. Too much pressure when brushing the teeth can erode the enamel, making the teeth more susceptible to cavities. Furthermore, we should never brush our teeth for longer than two minutes at a time.
While the amount of pressure to be applied and the amount of time are controlled when using an electric toothbrush, these factors must be considered when using a manual toothbrush. Consult your dentist for advice on the proper way to brush your teeth if you believe you have been making these errors.
Water Flossing
Yes, you read that right. We're not referring to dental floss, which is a waxed string used to remove plaque from in between your teeth. Water floss is a device that continuously sprays water between your teeth. According to dental professionals, water flossing is a better technique, particularly for people with braces or bridges in their teeth.
Limit sugary and acidic foods
The high prevalence of dental caries, particularly in children and adolescents, is thought to be primarily caused by sugar. Enamel and dentine are lost as a result of bacteria turning free sugars into acids. If sugar is consumed between meals as candies or soda or toffees which are sticky, the risk of developing dental caries is even higher. Sugar should only make up 10% or less of your diet, according to dental experts.
In addition, sugar alternatives like xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol are helpful in lowering the incidence and prevalence of dental cavities.
Gum and other treats that contain sugar substitutes will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but also prevent cavities.
Use of fluoride toothpaste
The best method of preventing dental caries is simply switching to a rich in fluoride toothpaste. Numerous studies have suggested that regular use of fluoride toothpaste can shield the tooth's enamel (outer layer) from bacterial decay. At a critical pH of around 5.5, demineralization, or the breakdown of enamel, takes place. Regular use of fluoride toothpaste helps to lower the pH value by 0.5, halting the demineralization process and preventing cavities.
Sealants
Sealants have long been used as a primary method of preventing dental caries, particularly in young children. Dental cavities are significantly less likely to develop when grooves, pits, or fissures on the surfaces of permanent teeth are sealed with resin-based sealants. For this procedure, you can go to your neighborhood dentist and safeguard your teeth.
Maintain control of your diabetes.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, you may want to monitor both your blood sugar levels and oral hygiene. This is because diabetics are more likely to develop dental cavities, gum disease, and other dental problems.
Saliva, which keeps our mouths moist, prevents dental caries by washing away food particles, inhibiting the growth of bacteria, and also by containing specific minerals that guard the tissues in your mouth. The medications for diabetes cause a reduction in salivary flow and an increase in salivary glucose levels. This eases the growth of the bacteria in the mouth.
Diabetes patients who do not receive prompt treatment for gum disease and dental cavities run the risk of developing more serious issues, such as tooth loss.
No matter how diligent you are about maintaining your oral health, you must have regular dental checkups.
If lack of time is a factor for you and you keep postponing your dental checkup appointments, then we have a solution for you!
You can now have a dental checkup anytime you want. All you need is an internet connection, a mirror, and a mobile device with a functional camera. With the help of artificial intelligence, ToothLens can scan your teeth, take pictures of them from different angles, and inform you of their condition.
This application enables you to perform regular dental checkups and remain informed of your dental health status. In addition, this application also enables you to connect with a dentist to address your dental problems.
Our overall health is reflected in our oral health. Poor oral health is a long-term consequence of unhealthy teeth, which also eventually affect other organs. Prioritize your dental health by being proactive, and make the necessary lifestyle adjustments, and your teeth will thank you by staying healthy for the rest of your life!
