Cavities have a way of making an unpleasant appearance in a smile, often causing tooth pain and ultimately requiring treatment. Treating cavities when they are small involves removing any decay and placing a dental filling to seal the tooth from further decay. However, if cavities are ignored, they may require a root canal and dental crown or even having the tooth extracted.
Still, you can help prevent cavities from gaining a foothold in your smile. With this in mind, Dr. Robert Marder and our team would like to share some easy but important tools in your oral care toolkit to keep cavities from making a dent in your smile.
You can put up an effective barrier against cavities by practicing good oral hygiene habits, daily. What does this look like? Simply brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing at least once daily (preferably before bedtime so the mouth is clean for the night). You can also rinse your mouth with an oral rinse (mouthwash) if you are cavity prone, as this will help reduce bacteria in the mouth.
Daily oral hygiene is highly effective for a healthy mouth, but it cannot remove hardened tartar or calculus that builds up between teeth and along the gumline. Your dentist uses special tools to accomplish this task, so seeing your dentist every six months will complement your daily routine. Dr. Robert Marder will also inspect your smile for any signs of gum disease or other oral health concerns.
Next on your list of cavity-fighting efforts is maintaining a tooth-healthy diet. Your teeth need key nutrients to stay strong, and these can be found in dairy and protein along with vegetables and fruits. Furthermore, limiting sugary foods and drinks will protect tooth enamel from harm (and your waistline as well). Finally, drink plenty of water to keep up healthy levels of saliva production to help keep your mouth clean.
You can prevent cavities by implanting these simple habits, and your smile will thank you. If you would like to schedule a visit for a checkup and cleaning or have any questions, please call our team in New City, New York, at 212-265-8291 today. At Robert W Marder DMD, PLLC we look forward to helping you achieve a healthy smile for a lifetime!