5 Cavity Prevention Tips

If you’ve ever had a cavity, you’ve been a victim of the complex process that causes tooth decay. Enamel is the strong outer layer of your teeth. When you eat and drink, a sticky layer of plaque develops on the tooth surface. Bacteria in the plaque interact with sugars and starches in your food and produce acids that damage your tooth enamel. The longer plaque and bacteria remain on your teeth, the more damage they can do. Eventually, the holes we know as cavities form. 


While cavities are most common in children, aging adults often experience tooth decay associated with age-related oral changes. Receding gums often accompany advancing age, and preexisting periodontal disease is also common. The two factors combined give plaque access to tooth roots, which are covered with cementum, a softer and more vulnerable material than enamel. Tooth roots are more susceptible to decay and more sensitive to hot and cold. Tooth-root decay and sensitivity problems are both common in adults more than 50 years old. Decay along the margins of fillings is also frequently seen. Seniors may have more fillings due to the absence of modern dental care techniques when they were young. As the fillings age, they fracture and leak, causing bacteria to accumulate in the small crevices of the tooth surface. Acid exposure in these areas results in decay.

Indispensable Tips for Cavity Prevention

1. Brush a minimum of twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
2. Clean between teeth using dental floss or interdental cleaners daily.
3. Eat a healthy diet and avoid sugary and starch-filled snacks between meals.
4. Ask your dentist about treatments that can help with cavity prevention, such as fluoride rinses or dental sealants.
5. Affordable dentists can identify and treat tooth decay before it causes tooth loss. Visit your dentist in Indiana regularly.

To learn about our family dentistry practice in Indiana, call Wadas Dental today or make an appointment.