Many people make the mistake of neglecting their teeth and enabling the onset of tooth decay. Unfortunately, many of those people are young and jeopardize their teeth. According to NYC Health, more than half of teens and children over age five have had tooth decay. The dental offices they visit can remove and fill those cavities, but it’s better to use these common ways to prevent tooth decay.

Watch What You Eat

Preventing tooth decay starts with watching what you eat. Foods with high amounts of sugar and acids are especially bad for your teeth and gums. An obvious example is popular soft drinks. Many people drink multiple soft drinks every day, which is as bad for their waistlines as it is for their oral health. The soft drinks soak their teeth in harmful substances that accelerate tooth decay and gum disease.

Brush Your Teeth After Meals

The best way to prevent the need for frequent trips to dental offices to treat tooth decay is to brush your teeth after every meal. If you brush once daily, the foods you eat and drink have more time to harm your teeth. Those foods and drinks might include sugar, which can be converted into an acid that eats away at tooth enamel. You also might consume foods or drinks that stain your teeth. Brushing after every meal neutralizes sugars and acids while cleaning your teeth and gums.

Floss Before Brushing and Rinse With Mouthwash

Before you brush your teeth, it’s best to floss to remove any small bits of food that might get stuck between your teeth. Flossing before brushing helps the toothpaste get between your teeth to clean them and remove any food particles. After you floss and brush your teeth, you should finish by rinsing with mouthwash, which helps kill germs, protects your teeth, and prevents gum disease.

Schedule Regular Dental Cleaning

Even when you frequently floss, brush, and rinse with mouthwash, it’s important to visit dental offices for frequent checkups and to clean your teeth. Your dentist can take X-rays to document your oral health and remove any plaque or tartar buildup that eluded you while flossing and brushing your teeth. Seeing your dentist two or three times a year for checkups and dental cleanings can be very affordable if you have dental insurance. You can call our professional staff at Encino Friendly Dental Center to schedule an examination and dental cleaning. We look forward to helping you maintain your smile!