How to Avoid Cavities in Your Teeth

Brush Properly Not Just Quickly

Brushing twice a day is the move but the way you brush matters. Use fluoride toothpaste. Spend around two minutes cleaning your teeth. Fluoride strengthens enamel. Makes it better able to resist the acid that causes tooth decay.

Don’t scrub as if you’re trying to remove paint. A gentle approach works better. Is kinder to your gums. Hold the brush at an angle and make small movements around the gumline. Get the chewing surfaces too because food loves hiding in those grooves.

Don’t Forget Between Your Teeth

Clean between your teeth a day with floss or another interdental cleaner that suits you. It feels like a job but those few minutes are worth keeping in your routine. Once it becomes automatic you stop noticing it.

Watch How Often You Have Sugar

Every time you eat or drink something bacteria in your mouth can produce acids that attack enamel. If you’re constantly sipping drinks or snacking on sweets your teeth get very little time to recover between attacks.

So enjoy the treat then move on. Having foods with a meal is generally easier on your teeth than grazing on them for hours.

• Sweet drinks are particularly easy to overdo because you can sip them without thinking about how your teeth are being exposed.

• Water between meals keeps things especially after you’ve had something sugary.

• Sticky sweets tend to hang around on your teeth which is a good reason not to make them an everyday habit.

Make Fluoride Part of Your Routine

For people fluoride toothpaste should be part of the twice-daily brushing routine. After brushing spit out the toothpaste rather than immediately washing your mouth out with lots of water. That leaves fluoride around your teeth for a little longer.

Your Mouthwash Isn’t the Event

Mouthwash can fit into a good oral care routine but don’t treat it as a replacement for brushing and cleaning between your teeth. It isn’t a rinse that cancels out poor habits.

If you’re using a fluoride mouthwash follow the product instructions. Avoid rinsing immediately after brushing since doing so can wash away some of the fluoride from your toothpaste.

Don’t Skip Dental Checkups

Cavities are much easier to deal with when they’re found. A dentist can spot areas of decay that’re n’t obvious when you look in the mirror particularly between teeth or in places that are difficult to see.

Regular checkups also give you a chance to ask about your brushing technique or your risk of developing cavities. If you have decay your dentist might suggest extra fluoride protection or other preventive care.

Small Habits Matter More Than Perfect Teeth

Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste. Clean between your teeth. Keep snacks from becoming an all-day habit. Drink water regularly. See your dentist, for routine checks.