The field of general dentistry is largely concerned with treating and preventing tooth decay. Many significant oral health problems have dental caries, which is the scientific name for tooth decay, at their root. Preventing it makes your teeth and your mouth healthier and reduces the risk that you need restorations such as fillings or crowns. It also decreases your risk of dental fractures and tooth loss.
There are many different things you can do from the standpoint of general dentistry to decrease your risk of tooth decay and the problems it can cause. Most of them are fairly simple and inexpensive, requiring only minor variations to your usual routine.
Fluoride is a mineral that helps to strengthen and rebuild tooth enamel. It can help to prevent tooth decay and even reverse it if it is in the early stages. You can fortify your teeth by using oral hygiene products that contain fluoride, such as toothpaste and mouthwash. Your dentist may also provide fluoride treatments during routine cleanings that apply a more concentrated amount directly to your teeth.
Increased saliva flow helps to remove plaque and bacteria from your teeth. Eat foods that help increase saliva production, such as fresh vegetables and fruit. Foods and drinks that are sugary or acidic can promote tooth decay, so keep these to a minimum.
If you do eat and drink things that are sugary or acidic, try to finish them all in one sitting rather than sipping or snacking on them throughout the day. Otherwise, your teeth are under a constant onslaught from bacteria and acids that cause tooth decay.
Plain tap water is a tooth-healthy drink for several reasons. Not only is it sugar-free and nonacidic, but city governments often add fluoride to the municipal water supply, which actively helps to prevent tooth decay. Bottled water typically does not have any fluoride added.
Dental sealants are a general dentistry treatment that helps to prevent tooth decay by applying an acrylic resin directly to the teeth's surfaces. The sealant works as a barrier to prevent decay-causing bacteria and acid from reaching the teeth.
A consistent oral hygiene regimen of brushing at least twice a day, or after every meal, if possible, and flossing at least once a day is an effective way of preventing tooth decay.
Brushing and flossing are highly effective at preventing plaque from building up on your teeth and hardening into tartar. However, it cannot get everything. Regular dental cleanings remove plaque or tartar that brushing and flossing miss. They also give the dentist the opportunity to check your teeth for any signs of tooth decay, which is easier to treat in its early stages. Most patients have cleanings every six months, but ultimately, your dentist decides how often you need to have them.
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Relatively simple lifestyle changes can help prevent tooth decay and avoid the need for general dentistry restorations.
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