Stay Cavity Free With Your Preventive Dentist Near North Sarasota

Did you know that cavities are one of the most common dental problems? In fact, by the time most people reach adulthood, they have had at least one cavity. To prevent this enamel problem there are lots of things you can do – both at home and with professional care. Follow these top 5 tips from Parkway Ridge Dental, your preventive dentist near Sarasota, to get the insight you need to keep your smile healthy and bright.

What Causes Cavities?

To begin, we need to look at what actually causes cavities in the first place. Dr. Warren Hoffman explains that cavities are the result of tooth decay, and generally arise from the following issues:

• Sugar – Since bacteria in the mouth converts sugars into plaque acids that eat through teeth, consuming this sweet substance in foods and beverages increases your risk for cavities.
• Poor Oral Hygiene – When you don’t brush or floss enough, plaque and other icky substances can wreak havoc on your smile and lead to dental caries.

What Can I Do To Prevent Cavities?

Since you’re probably wondering what you can do to prevent this common dental malady, Dr. Hoffman shares his top 5 tips for cavity prevention strategies in the list below.

#1 – Eat Right

Avoid sugar in all its forms, including foods and beverages. Sweet drinks like soda and juices are especially harmful, since they bather your teeth in cavity-causing sugar with each sip. Instead, load up on leafy greens and dairy products that are full of calcium to make enamel strong. Say cheese – this savory treat can increase your saliva’s ability to remineralize your teeth naturally.

#2 – Keep Your Mouth Hydrated

Since teeth can become more susceptible to cavities and enamel damage when you have dry mouth, keep things hydrated by drinking H2O – tap water should be your beverage of choice since it has fluoride in it to strengthen enamel. And, chewing gum with Xylitol is a great option to increase saliva – this is also helpful when you can’t brush or floss after eating.

#3 – Brush & Floss Correctly

Sounds easy, right? To make sure your at-home routine is up-to-par, watch these brushing and flossing tutorial videos. Be sure to brush your teeth gently for two minutes twice a day, and floss at least once daily, since brushing alone leaves almost half your oral surfaces without proper cleaning.

#4 – Use Mouthwash

Another excellent way to stop cavities before they start is to use antibacterial mouthwashes that clean in the hard to reach crevices of your teeth. You can easily find these over-the-counter, and look for a brand that has fluoride, and is alcohol-free, since this can dry your mouth out.

#5 – See Your Dentist

The most crucial part of your oral health is getting the professional dental care you need. See us at least twice a year for exams – we’ll help you get a deep clean and stay on top of any potential issues to keep your smile healthy and cavity free.

Now that you know the 5 most important tips to prevent cavities, schedule your appointment with Parkway Ridge Dental to keep your pearly whites shining bright!