Hearing you have a cavity at the dentist’s office is never fun; in fact, most people dread it. Cavities typically necessitate the placement of a filling, resulting in a higher dental cost and a lengthier appointment. Although the filling can preserve your tooth, there are steps you can do to prevent or reverse the cavity process, which will save you and your Wimbledon dentist time.
Cavities are the direct outcome of the slow deterioration of teeth. If they are caught early on, the process can be stopped or erased.
How Does a Cavity Develop in your mouth?
A cavity is a small hole in your tooth caused by the breakdown of enamel, your teeth’s strong outer coating. When you consume or drink sugary foods or beverages, acids are formed within the plaque that targets your enamel, eventually eroding it to nothing and causing the hole we call a cavity.
Cavities are more frequent in children, teenagers, and older individuals, although they can affect anybody. Adults are more prone to develop cavities if their gums recede from their teeth or if they have gum disease. Cavities are widespread in older persons since they were not exposed to the same doses of fluoride as we are now in their childhood.
This is how we Prevent and Reverse Tooth Decay!
Here are some simple strategies to prevent or cure the devastating consequences of dental decay.
Diet, Diet, Diet!
Evidence suggests that a modest dietary change can actually cure tooth decay.
Begin by eating calcium-rich foods, especially greens and dairy foods to help strengthen your teeth and give the enamel a head start. Once you’ve mastered that, avoid sugary meals and drinks like pop, juice, and sweets to avoid excessive plaque build-up.
Here are some more dietary ideas for preventing cavities:
- Add vitamins and supplements to your diet to boost the production of bacteria-fighting saliva and reduce inflammation.
- Consume meals containing natural probiotics to counteract the acidic pH of bacteria between the teeth. Kombucha and kefir are the best probiotic options you can use.
- Be conscious of the pH levels in your food and beverages. drinks like coffee can imbalance pH levels and create the perfect home for harmful bacteria.
Make an oral hygiene routine
Are you doing enough to protect your teeth? To stay up with what is advised for cavity prevention, you should take the following steps every day:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day, being sure to get into all the grooves, pockets, and corners.
- Floss at least once a day to remove any residual food and to prevent bacteria from growing in your gums.
- Use mouthwash with an antibiotic solution to help destroy any remaining germs.
- Children should only use a pea-sized quantity of toothpaste and no mouthwash.
Mouthwash is Your Friend
Fluoride is a mineral found in our bones and teeth that is widely used to prevent cavities. Fluoride replenishes minerals lost via tooth decay and decreases bacteria’s ability to produce acid.
Fluoride is present in the majority of city water systems, toothpaste, and mouthwashes. Fluoride levels can be increased by consuming supplements, utilizing mouth rinses, or putting fluoride gel on your teeth.
Sealants for Kids can be a good option
Dental sealants are thin plastic coverings applied on the molars (must be done professionally). These can help to prevent cavities by flattening the bumps and ridges on the back of our teeth, where food and germs can become lodged.
Because the majority of cavities in children and teenagers originate in the molars, they are normally filled between the ages of five and seven (baby teeth) and again between the ages of 11 and 14 years old (permanent teeth).
Come to our office in Wimbledon regularly!
Visiting your Wimbledon dentist in SW19 confidential London for annual dental cleanings is one of the greatest strategies to prevent and heal cavities. Your dental hygienist will remove dental plaque, check for tooth decay, and, if required, administer a fluoride gel or varnish. Following the preceding measures will make their task much simpler, but there is no substitute for a professional cleaning.
When is it Too Late to save your teeth?
Unfortunately, a cavity may become irreversible at some time. This happens when the acid produced by bacteria eats away at the enamel in the dentin (the living tissue of your tooth). During this time, the cavity has the potential to develop significantly bigger; if it does, you may require a root canal or extraction.
