Cavity formation is something that happens slowly over time, and it’s not something you’re likely to see with the naked eye. That means that in order to prevent cavities, you have to take proactive steps and be consistent at home. Taking small steps on a daily basis, and even throughout the day, can help you stop cavities from forming and keep your teeth safe and healthy. Sometimes, by simply making a mental list, you can better understand how to take care of your teeth. So, what are you doing to stop cavities on a daily basis?
How Often and Consistently Are You Brushing Your Teeth?
This is the best place to start when it comes to cavity prevention, because there are often things you can improve about how you brush your teeth. The recommended frequency is twice per day — once in the morning, and once before bed. Are you consistently brushing your teeth at these times each day? Next, consider how you’re brushing your teeth. Are you using an electric toothbrush? Do you brush for a full two minutes, or is it more like 60 seconds? Thoroughly brushing your teeth and using an electric toothbrush can make a big difference when it comes to how clean your teeth are getting.
What Extra Steps Are You Taking to Prevent Cavities?
Brushing your teeth twice per day isn’t the only step you can take to stop cavities. You should also be flossing consistently — ideally daily — to remove food that gets trapped between teeth and clean those difficult-to-reach surfaces. Using products like disposable floss picks may allow you to floss at work after meals, and improve your overall oral hygiene. Furthermore, if you’re cavity-prone, you can brush after meals throughout the day to reduce the chance that you develop cavities.
Simple Lifestyle Choices Can Also Stop Cavities
Beyond brushing and flossing, you can also make small lifestyle choices to prevent cavities from forming. If you can’t brush after meals, even swishing water around your mouth can help reduce the amount of bacteria that stick to your teeth. It can also reduce the amount of staining that your teeth experience. You can also make an effort to avoid sugary, acidic, and sticky foods, as these foods become harder to remove from the surfaces of your teeth, and create easy food sources for bacteria.
Don’t Forget Your Biannual Dentist Appointments
Of course, you should also be making preventive dental visits to stop cavities. Attending twice-yearly appointments for checkups and cleanings goes a long way toward halting the progress of bacteria. At Stubbs Family Dentistry, we provide checkups, professional cleanings, and additional preventive care to ensure that your teeth stay healthy throughout your life. Schedule an appointment at Stubbs Family Dentistry in West Allis, WI by calling our office at 414-541-8250.
