What is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth enamel, the hard outer layer of the teeth. Brushing and flossing to remove foods such as carbohydrates helps protect teeth from plaque build-up and tooth decay, sometimes known as tooth erosion. As soon as you eat carbs, your mouth bacteria make the dental plaque more acidic, leading to cavities. The list of carbohydrates foods that are the most harmful includes cookies, cakes, soft drinks, candy, bread, crackers, bananas, and breakfast cereals; when you eat these foods, brush and floss your teeth soon after to reduce your risk for cavities.
You Can Prevent Tooth Decay
You can prevent tooth decay and keep your teeth healthy and cavities-free by following simple steps. First, brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice daily to eliminate harmful mouth bacteria and dental plaque. Also, make sure to clean all sides of your teeth by flossing. Just as important, make sure to eat a nutritious and balanced diet. Cut back on sugary and acidic beverages and drink more water. Finally, visit your dentist every six months.
How To Prevent Tooth Decay
Here are a few more tips to help reduce the time your teeth are exposed to acid.
- Avoid refined foods for healthy teeth and eat whole-grain foods like oatmeal, whole wheat bread, and brown rice.
- Eat darker vegetables such as dark green and orange vegetables. Consider Swiss chard, spinach, and turnip greens.
- Eat a balanced and varied diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
- Choose snacks wisely; for example, firm fruits like apples and pears, which have natural sugar and high water content that dilutes the effects of the sugar.
- Eat mineral-dense foods such as beans, lentils, milk, yogurt, avocados, and nuts.
The Dental Check-Up and Preventing Tooth Decay
Regular teeth cleaning is usually painless and straightforward as long as you take care of your teeth at home and visit your dentist every six months. The dental hygienist will always physically examine your entire mouth with a small mirror. If there are any significant issues, the dental hygienist will ask the dentist to look closer before your dental cleaning begins. Dental cleanings in Port Coquitlam.
Professional Teeth Cleanings Help Prevent Tooth Decay
Teeth cleaning is a procedure that includes the removal of dental plaque and tartar build-up that you have not been able to address on your own. Your dentist or hygienist is the only person who can only remove tartar thoroughly. People who brush twice per day and floss regularly don’t have much tarter. Once the tarter is removed by hand, a high-powered electric toothbrush is used to remove the remaining tarter. Expect expert flossing and the application of fluoride treatment as the final two steps of professional cleaning.
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We proudly service patients from Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and other surrounding areas!
Encore Dental Clinic Address:
2663 Shaughnessy St.
Port Coquitlam, BC, V3C3G7
Call Us: 604-464-4131
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