5 Smart Ways to Prevent (More) Cavities

If you’ve ever had a cavity, you probably don’t want to go through another filling procedure. But what can you do? You might be surprised to learn how easy it can be to prevent additional cavities from developing. 

Our professional dental team understands that you’d rather not have cavities. That’s why at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group, we’re committed to educating you on how to avoid issues with your oral health, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, to name a few.

We can repair damage from tooth decay, but we’d rather you not only protect your tooth enamel, but strengthen it. When it comes to cavities, we have five ways for you to take a proactive role in prevention:

Choose your diet wisely

To reduce your risk of cavities forming, limit foods that are rich in carbohydrates and sugars. They can attack your enamel, which leads to tooth decay. 

Eat foods like fresh fruits and vegetables that contain fiber and water to help eliminate harmful substances from your teeth and mouth. Also, choose dairy products like cheese and others that contain calcium and casein and can actually strengthen your tooth enamel.

Practice healthy oral hygiene habits consistently

We recommend that you use a soft toothbrush when you brush your teeth, and brush at least two times a day. You should also replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months or even sooner.

Flossing once a day is also key for removing any hidden debris that causes bacteria to grow. That bacteria can cause plaque to form and lead to cavities. In addition, if plaque stays on your teeth, it can turn into tartar, which can ultimately cause gum disease.

Chew sugar-free gum

Few people realize that saliva is good for your dental health because it washes away bacteria. Chewing sugar-free gum stimulates the production of saliva. Choose gum with xylitol, the sugarless sweetener that can actually strengthen your tooth enamel.

Drink plenty of water

When choosing beverages, water is always your best option. Sodas contain sugars and acids that can weaken your tooth enamel. If you can’t brush your teeth after eating, rinse your mouth out with water to eliminate debris and bacteria from your teeth.

Keep your routine visits with your provider 

When you schedule professional teeth cleanings every six months with us, we remove any plaque buildup and tartar that can harm your teeth. We use special dental instruments that take your at-home oral hygiene a step further to keep your oral health at its peak performance.

At K Street Dental, we want you to feel like family. We thoroughly enjoy the relationships we have with our patients. We want to make your visits comfortable and something you look forward to. We especially want it to be an easy choice when making your regular, routine visits. 

To learn more about cavity prevention or to schedule a visit, call our friendly staff today at our office in Washington, DC.