As you may have already discovered the hard way, a cavity is a painful way to bring your smile down. If tooth decay has its way with your smile, creating holes in your tooth enamel, you will want to have it treated as soon as possible. When discovered early, mild to moderate tooth damage is usually treatable with a dental filling. If a cavity goes untreated, eventually it may need to be repaired more intensively such as a root canal or if the tooth cannot be saved, by a tooth extraction.
Let’s take a look at how you can avoid invasive dental treatment, by proactively caring for your teeth and gums before issues arise.
#1. The Daily Do’s: Nothing protects your smile more than your daily oral hygiene efforts. Taking the time to thoroughly brush and floss every day will build a strong foundation for your pearly whites. Find a soft-bristled toothbrush, along with American Dental Association products like tooth paste and mouth wash, and begin. Brushing at least twice a day, and flossing at least once, is ideal. Simply find a flossing method that works best for you and be sure to do it. Using an antibacterial mouthwash, if you are prone to cavities, can help lower harmful bacteria in your mouth.
#2. Six-Months Checkups and Cleanings: Supplementing your daily oral hygiene practice with routine dental visits will allow our dentist to remove hardened plaque and tartar that can develop in the hard to clean parts of your smile. These checkups will allow us to look for any signs of gum disease, tooth sensitivity, or other oral health problems. Again, early detection and treatment will prevent more costly intervention down the road.
#3. Smile-Friendly Diet: The foods you eat can help or hinder your healthy smile. Chewing raw fresh fruit and vegetables boosts your body’s immunity to fight infection (such as gum disease) and also cleans your smile. Eating these stimulate proper levels of saliva which help to prevent dry mouth and wash away bacteria. Healthy dairy and lean protein provide phosphorous and calcium for strong teeth. Avoiding sugary, starchy, and acidic foods will protect your teeth as well. This means limiting cookies, cakes, chips and citrusy fruits, or eating them with meals to neutralize the acids they produce. Drinking plenty of water will also keep you hydrated and encourage healthy saliva production.
As you can see, it’s not really hard to take good care of your smile, but it does take commitment. If you would like to more about maintaining the healthy smile you deserve or to schedule an appointment with our dentist, please call our team in Santa Clara, California, at 408-244-3562. At the dental practice of Alan L. Frame, D.D.S., we are excited to help you achieve the healthy smile you have always wanted!