“How can I prevent tooth decay?”
Lately, my teeth have been bothering me and are extremely sensitive to certain foods. I am worried that my teeth may be decaying. What can I do to prevent tooth decay?
3 Answers
Lately, this question of sensitive teeth is a frequent question. Eating hot, spicy foods is popular. For those people who are not a fan of the spicy food rage, bland foods are spiced up. It is not your teeth that may be the problem. Your gum condition may be the problem. Do you correctly floss and brush daily? In many cases, sensitive teeth may be sensitive gum tissue. You can help yourself by first visiting your dentist. If you have consulted your dentist, let's look at your home care. Do you floss first daily? You slide the floss between two teeth. You slide along the side of your tooth. You go down as far as you can go. You scrape your tooth with your floss, back and forth and up and down, then move the floss to a new area on your floss and move to the adjacent tooth. When you brush, take a soft toothbrush and, starting with the last tooth in the corner of your mouth, place the toothbrush 1/2 tooth, 1/2 gum and brush gently back and forth 3-4 times. Then, move to the next group of teeth. You brush your gum line over to the last tooth on the opposite side, go behind the last tooth, then do the gum line where your tongue and palate are. Brush your flat surfaces top and bottom. Brushing your tongue is next. You can buy a tongue cleaner or take a teaspoon turn it over until the round side faces your palate. You place the spoon in the middle of your tongue and gently scrape your tongue while moving the spoon out of your mouth. The slimy whitish mass is what was hiding out in the nooks and crannies of your tongue. You scrape the other two sides and rinse with warm salt water. Then you gargle. Water irrigators are good. Rinsing out your mouth with water or warm salt water is beneficial. GETTING debris out from areas around your teeth is a bonus. You should be finger flossing, but if water irrigators is the best you can manage, do the best you can. It is not emphasized enough that YOU are the only one who can save your teeth. Each patient can save his or her own teeth. Each patient is responsible for not taking care of his or her own teeth. Patients can give their mouths that second chance, if needed. Or, if patients are doing good home care, CONTINUE the good work!
Tooth decay most often develops from eating carbohydrates too often between meals. At meal time they are okay, but not in between. Also get the fissures sealed on the back teeth.
Dental check-ups are necessary to avoid bigger problems. Make sure to brush, floss, and rinse with a mouth wash that contains fluoride (Listerine purple color).
