Your teeth are considered the strongest part of your body, with your enamel serving as the hard outer layer protecting your teeth from decay. As hard as your enamel fights for you, tooth decay or cavities are still common in individuals of all ages, making good oral hygiene essential in how we can help our teeth fight tooth decay.
At Spring Valley Dental Care, Dr. William Boyer and his team provide patients with the best oral hygiene methods and pair you with our hygienists that help keep track of the status of your teeth, ensuring you stay healthy and happy. By understanding what causes tooth decay, learning tips and tricks for your daily routine and learning the warning signs of tooth decay, you can help fight for your healthy smile.
Know What Causes Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, while preventable, is a natural cycle of cells breaking down and renewing. When bacteria and sugars are introduced, and not properly cleaned in your mouth, this makes the natural regrowth process more difficult and plaque begins to grow in those hard-to-reach places. While the natural repair process does fight tooth decay itself, there are many ways we can help our teeth out.
Additional research has shown that imbalances of important vitamin and minerals in our bodies that help teeth replenish its cells are also leading causes for tooth decay. Calcium is a key player in keeping your teeth healthy and safe from decay. Individuals that suffer from calcium deficiencies will often experience greater challenges with their teeth, so a regular intake of calcium may be something to speak with our office about.
Tooth decay can eventually lead to cavities, or deeper issues such as root canals or oral infections. Preventing these issues is always easier than dealing with the cost and time of repairing teeth, so speak with Dr. Boyer or a dentist near you to start a routine that will help avoid these issues.
Have a Daily Routine
One of the best ways to fight tooth decay is having a daily routine. While brushing and flossing regularly are essential in good oral hygiene, here are some additional tips and tricks to help your teeth fight tooth decay.
- Use dentist prescribed mouthwash
- Use fluoride
- Chew sugarless gum
- Avoid sugary food and drinks
- Eat at mealtimes, cut out snacking
- Use straws with sugary beverages
- Eat mineral and vitamin rich foods and supplements
By adding these tips into your normal routine of brushing and flossing after each meal, you will have an increased chance of fighting off tooth decay.
Pay Attention to Your Teeth
One of the best ways to help prevent tooth decay, and to know when to see a dentist, is to pay attention to your teeth. While tooth decay is not visible at first, there are signs that you should be aware of:
- Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
- Pain
- A sticky spot when brushing or flossing
- Bleeding
- Discoloration
By keeping track of changes in your teeth, it will let you know if you need to improve your daily routine. Catching tooth decay early on will oftentimes allow you to take care of it through routine to restore the enamel. However, you should also visit your dentist for professional cleanings, as well as to determine if any treatment is necessary.
Visit Spring Valley Dental Care Today!
Whether you need more tooth decay information, tips or tricks, or a regular dental visit to see how your teeth are doing, contact us today at Spring Valley Dental Care. You can call our office at 619-670-4471 to schedule an appointment. Start your journey to a healthy smile!