Cavities Are Your Mouth’s (and Body’s) Enemy  

No one likes it when their dentist tells them they have a cavity. This enemy of the mouth can cause so much harm to teeth. But did you know they can threaten your overall health? Cavities become infected easily, and the infection can spread throughout your body if left untreated.

Finding cavities early is an important part of a dental check-up. The best way to deal with cavities is to prevent them in the first place.

Preventing Cavities with Brushing

Preventive care and healthy oral hygiene are key to warding off cavities. Prevention includes brushing at least twice a day and flossing daily. Using a good mouthwash is also important. Prescription mouthwashes are available for the best possible treatment.

Dentists and dental hygienists are happy to discuss proper brushing and flossing techniques with their patients. Generally, they’ll tell you that an up-and-down motion will do the best job of getting food particles out from between the teeth and from surfaces. Brush for a full two minutes to remove food particles and eliminate bacteria.

Electric toothbrushes can be useful, too. Many of them have two-minute timers, and some even alert you when you’re using too much or too little pressure while brushing.

Brushing isn’t the only critical part of cavity prevention. Flossing is also necessary to reach the places your toothbrush can’t. Soft-pointed dental picks will also help, but beware of sharp instruments that can damage your gums. Overall, regular teeth cleaning will go a long way toward reducing the frequency of cavities.

Prevent Cavities with Diet Changes

You can also prevent cavities by watching what you eat and drink. Foods with processed sugars and carbohydrates help harmful bacteria grow, promote the spread of cavities, and accelerate tooth decay. Make sure your diet includes fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, which can promote better oral health.

Foods high in sugar also contribute to increased levels of plaque, the hard, acid-producing substance that forms on your teeth and turns into tartar if not removed. The acids from plaque eat away at your tooth enamel. Fighting this cavity-causing bacteria is a never-ending job.

Cavity Treatment and Teeth Cleaning Near Me

If you believe that you have a cavity, getting to your dentist is important. Treating it quickly will address the problem and keep it from progressing to more serious tooth decay. If you are looking for a family dentist in Cincinnati for a professional cleaning, cavity filling, or another oral health issue, set up an appointment with our friendly family dentist office by calling 513.489.7800. We’re conveniently located near Blue Ash, Ohio, and we’ll take great care of you and your family!