When foods rich in carbohydrates (sugars and starches) such as bread, cereals, cake and candy remain on the teeth, bacteria in the mouth attack the food residues and turn them into acid. Acid, bacteria, and food residues form plaque, which sticks to the teeth and creates holes in their enamel known as caries.
Dentists remove the carious part of the tooth with a drill, an idea that can make you shiver. Thankfully, there are many ways to reduce the likelihood of tooth decay.
Steps
Step 1. Brush your teeth
Brushing your teeth is the bare minimum for dental health, but it is also important. You should brush your teeth after each meal, or at least twice a day. And a hasty brushing while driving is not enough: to remove plaque and harmful bacteria, it is necessary to brush at least for two minutes. Use a soft-bristled, thin-headed toothbrush and sing Happy Birthday twice as you brush.
- While you wash, focus on cleaning your external surfaces of the teeth, on internal surfaces and on chewing surfaces. For fresher breath, you can also gently brush your tongue to remove bacteria.
- Brush your teeth with a toothpaste that contains fluorine, a mineral. Plaque bacteria remove minerals from enamel, but fluoride helps make teeth more resistant to plaque bacteria attack.
Step 2. Dental floss
It might seem overwhelming, but flossing catches bacteria in hard-to-reach places, such as under the gumline and between the teeth. Wrap most of the floss around your middle fingers, leaving three to five centimeters to clean, and hold it taut between your thumb and forefinger by gently running it up and down between your teeth. Be careful to clean gently, run the floss down your teeth, pushing yourself under the gumline.
Step 3. Cut down on sweets
Avoid the carbohydrates contained in candies, pretzels and chips and always brush your teeth after eating them or after eating sticky foods. A nutritious diet, high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and low in saturated fat, salt and sugar will improve the health of your teeth. As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the dentist and tooth decay away. You should also drink water treated with fluoride (see above); fluoride is usually added to public waters, but this varies from place to place.
- Calcium is needed for proper dental health. Good sources of calcium include dairy products, fortified soy products, almonds, and dark leafy vegetables.
- Vitamin D is also useful. Sunlight, milk, soy products, and fatty fish such as salmon are good sources.
- You should also get adequate amounts of phosphorus (found in meat, fish and eggs); magnesium (found in whole grains, spinach and bananas); and vitamin A, which is found in orange fruit and dark green leafy vegetables and greens.
Step 4. Talk to your dentist
Not only is the dentist not an ax-wielding killer, but he can help prevent tooth decay. Your dentist may be able to prescribe supplemental fluoride, which as described above strengthens your teeth. If necessary, he can apply dental sealants - a protective plastic coating - to the chewing surface of your molars to protect them from tooth decay. It is also important to visit the dentist regularly for oral exams and professional cleanings.
Advice
- Brush and floss frequently to help keep bacteria away from your teeth.
- After eating candy, drink water to remove residue from your teeth.
- Gum containing the xylitol sweetener can help prevent tooth decay.
- Check your market for fluoride-based toothpastes.
- Check if the water in the city where you live is treated with fluoride.
- Before your appointment, ask the dentist about the approximate cost for the visit.
