Top 5 Ways To Prevent Cavities

At Gateway Dental Care in Pleasanton, California, we want you to know about the top 5 ways to prevent cavities and have a beautiful smile. We love providing you with the treatments and resources you need to take care of those pearly whites. In order to keep your teeth looking their best, it’s important to prevent cavities. We have a few simple preventative measures you can do along with keeping your regular dental exams.

Preventing Cavities Is Simple

If you want to keep your teeth looking their best, it’s important to take care of them daily. If this isn’t something you’ve done in the past, it may take time to get used to thorough routine dental care. Give these tips a couple of weeks and just see how easy they become. The top 5 ways to prevent cavities include:

• Brushing Twice A Day
• Flossing Daily After Meals
• Avoiding Acidic Foods And Drinks
• Stop Or Avoid Smoking
• Using A Tongue Scraper

Brush Away, Prevent Decay

Are you brushing long enough? In order to thoroughly clean your teeth, you should brush at least twice a day for at least three minutes each time.  You should also brush soon after eating something sweet or sticky. When food is left on the teeth too long, it feeds bacteria, which then form cavities. When you brush and floss properly, it ensures that you are thoroughly getting rid of food particles and bacteria.

Eat Well For Healthy Teeth

Consuming acidic foods and drinks can cause the enamel on your teeth to erode. This erosion exposes them to harmful bacteria which can lead to tooth decay. These foods can also create tooth discoloration and tooth sensitivity. Just some of the foods and drinks to avoid:

• Tomato Products
• Citrus Fruits
• Pickles
• Coffee
• Wine

Smoking And Your Smile

We all know that smoking is bad for your health, but did you know that it’s also bad for your teeth and gums? Not only can smoking lead to cavities, but it can also lead to tooth discoloration, gum disease, and tooth loss. In severe cases, smoking can even lead to mouth cancer. If you smoke, now is a good time to quit. It can save your teeth–as well as your overall health.

An Essential Part Of Cavity Prevention

Proper cavity prevention includes scheduling regular cleanings with your Gateway Dental Care hygienist. Let us take care of those regular, deep cleanings that are so important for healthy teeth. Call for your appointment today, and we will do what it takes to help you keep those cavities away. We look forward to helping you in Pleasanton, CA.