Dental cavities lead to the loss of tooth and affect millions of people around the world. Also known as caries, dental cavities are caused due to the oral bacteria that are present in the mouth. These bacteria convert the sucrose and starch into acid and in combination with the acid, saliva and food debris they form plaque. Plaque is sticky in nature and holds on to the teeth. If it is left un-removed for a long period of time it mineralizes and forms tartar. This tartar is what results in tooth irritation and infection. This finally results in the formation of cavities.
Symptoms of dental cavity include excessive tooth ache, formation of holes on the teeth or the overall teeth damage. Cavities are an unwanted condition and visiting a dentist and getting the cavities filled remains as the only way out. Cavities when left untreated for long can lead to a very bad condition and might require complete uprooting of the tooth or you might need to undergo painful treatments.
The best idea therefore is to prevent tooth decay in the first place. One should adopt these ways to see that he or she doesn’t get dental cavity at all. Maintaining of oral hygiene is a must. Over consumption of sugar loaded food or drinks is not at all healthy for your teeth. Totally eliminating them might sound a bit unrealistic but care should be taken to limit their consumption. Avoiding Junk food must be avoided as much as possible. These food materials stick to the teeth and result in the formation of plaque and later on cavities. After consuming any of these foods cleaning the mouth properly is extremely essential.
Brushing of teeth twice a day is a necessity. Brushing in just about any way you like wont help. You should know the proper way to brush so that all your teeth get cleaned properly. You can learn the correct way to brush from your dentist. Fluoride toothpaste is a very good option. It has been found out through research that these toothpastes help fighting cavities better and prevent their occurrence.
Using a good mouth rinse can be very beneficial as well. These mouth rinses are anti bacterial in nature and helps killing the oral bacteria that causes cavities. These mouth rinses also fight bad breath and help reduce plaque. However one must not use them continuously for many days as the oral bacteria might develop an immunity towards it. it must be used at regular intervals.
Dental floss is also very effective to prevent dental cavities. Using of floss helps in removing the food debris that gets stuck in between the teeth. The best option is to use the single-use floss picks. They are easier to use than the traditional dental floss.
You can also try chewing sugarless chewing gum. These gums can be chewed after each meal and they do help preventing cavities. Overall you must keep your mouth clean and follow the above methods to prevent cavities from occurring. And yes a regular visit to a dentist isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.