THE TOP WAYS TO PREVENT DENTAL DECAY AND DAMAGE

Brush the Right Way

You brush twice a day. But do you brush the right way? Even though you may have the best electric toothbrush that promises to remove plaque, you may stil leave cavity-causing debris behind. To maximize at-home care and reduce the risk of decay, infection, or other oral issues:

• Choose the right paste product. Start with an American Dental Association (ADA) accepted fluoride toothpaste. While some so-ca led natural products claim to clean your teeth just as we l as a fluoride-containing paste, this ingredient is needed to help prevent cavities.
• Use a 45-degree angle. To effectively remove debris and decay-causing buildup, position your brush at 45-angle (in relation to your gums).
• Don't skip any surface. You need to brush the front, back, and chewing surfaces of your teeth. If you skip one surface, plaque could build up. This could result in dental decay or other oral issues.
  

Technique alone won't completely eliminate the risk of dental decay. Along with how you brush your teeth, pay attention to the tools you use. Choose a brush with soft, intact bristles. Replace the brush every three to four months. If the bristles bend, break, or fray, replace your brush sooner.

Choose Food Wisely

At-home dental care is an essential step in cavity prevention, but it's not the only way to stop dental disease and other issues before they start. The foods you eat and beverages you drink also play roles in your mouth's health. To prevent dental dilemmas:

• Avoid sugary foods and drinks. Candy, cookies, frosted cupcakes, fruit juices, and soda can lead to dental decay. Sugary foods and drinks feed the bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria produce acids that can wear away enamel and cause cavities.
• Stay away from hard or sharp foods. Decay isn't the only dental issue to watch out for. Hard candy, ice, and other sharp foods can crack or break teeth.
• Limit acidic foods and drinks. Citrus fruits and juices (and other acidic drinks, such as some types of soda) can wear away enamel. This exposes your teeth and increases the cavity risk.
  

Along with dental decay and damage, some foods and drinks can stain your teeth. While whitening treatments can ef ectively reduce the appearance of stains, a change in your eating/drinking habits can stop this issue before it starts.

Schedule a Check-Up

When was the last time you went to the dentist? Even though proper brushing and the right food/drink choices can help to prevent decay, damage, and other dental problems, you stil need to see a professional for regular care. As part of a preventive maintenance strategy, dental check-ups:

• Provide a deep cleaning. The hygienist can get to the in-between areas you may miss. The dental professional can also clean at the gum line and polish your teeth in a way you can't at home.
  
• Help to spot decay early on. The dentist will examine your teeth and possibly take X-rays. If you have new decay, a crack, other damage, or another oral issue, the dentist can address the problem before it goes from minor to major.
  
• Offer education. Do you still have concerns or questions about dental care? A check-up is the perfect time to ask the dentist for help. The dental of ice staff can show you how to brush, recommend at-home care products, and discuss issues you may have.
  

The dentist can also recommend or discuss other preventative options - such as sealants or porcelain veneers. These cover the teeth and can stop decay before it starts. Sealants are clear coatings that can reduce or stop cavity formation. Veneers are tooth-colored covers that can also brighten or straighten your smile.

Do you need to schedule a check-up? Contact Desert Dental for more information.