10 Things Dentists Always Do to Prevent Tooth Decay
Updated: Jul. 16, 2020
Tooth decay can make for complicated, expensive and painful dental visits. Here's what dentists do to stay out of the dental chair.
How to prevent tooth decay like a dentist
It’s no secret that what you eat affects your dental health. That sweet cup of coffee or the powdered sugar doughnut you have for breakfast can actually lead to cavities, or tooth decay. Cavities are common, even if you do follow good oral hygiene. So, how can you prevent tooth decay? The dentists we spoke with provide their tips to keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free.
Use a fluoride toothpaste
Lana Rozenberg, DDS, a board-certified cosmetical dentist at Rozenberg Dental NYC, recommends giving your toothpaste label a read to make sure it contains fluoride. “Fluoride toothpaste protects from demineralization—which is when bacteria in the mouth combine with sugars to produce acid,” she says. “This acid can erode tooth enamel and damage our teeth.”
These are the surprising ways you might be brushing your teeth wrong.
Brush your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush
Scott Asnis, DDS, the founder and CEO of Dental365 in New Hyde Park, New York, explains that keeping your pearly whites clean will ward off nasty bacteria. Dr. Asnis says studies have proven that electric toothbrushes clean teeth significantly better than regular ones. “Most electric toothbrushes have features that prevent brushing too hard, which, in turn, prevents accidentally damaging teeth and gums and causing gum recession,” he notes. “As gums recede, the roots of the teeth become exposed resulting in hot and cold sensitivity, bone loss, and an increased risk of dental caries.”
Use these tips to protect your teeth from coffee stains.
See your dentist at least once a year
Fear going to the dentist? You’re not alone. You should bring up this concern with your dentist (or find a new one), recommends dentist Haissam Dahan, DMD with limited practice in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and sleep apnea management at Ottawa TMJ & Sleep Apnea Clinic in Ontario. “By going to your dentist regularly, they can find small or new cavities and offer treatments that can prevent cavities from getting bigger. These options can be a fluoride treatment, sealants to prevent cavities from growing, or using silver diamine fluoride which can stop cavities from growing.”
Don’t ignore these signs you need to see a dentist right away.
Consider a sealant
If you’ve had countless fillings and root canals, you might want to consider a sealant that protects your teeth from bacteria. Robert Bryce, DDS, of Aesthetic Dentistry in Potomac Falls, Virginia, suggests talking to your dentist about applying a resin to the grooves of your teeth; this is an occlusal sealant, and it makes it tougher for bacteria to take up residence.
Be mindful of medications
Your prescriptions can have some unexpected side effects, like harming your teeth, warns oral surgeon and author Ira Kamp, DDS, Integrative Oral Health in Ithaca, New York. He recommends paying extra attention to your dental health when you get a new prescription. “Most medications cause dry mouth, and a dry mouth makes you more prone to cavities,” he says. “If you are taking medications that dry your mouth, practice thorough oral hygiene several times a day including after you eat, drink plenty of water, and talk to your doctor about your medications.”
Use these halitosis remedies to get rid of chronic bad breath.
Eat healthy food with low sugar
Do your belly and your mouth a favor by cutting back on the sweet treats. Dr. Rozenberg says low-sugar, healthy food helps ward away the plaque that wrecks the enamel on your teeth. “Each time you eat a sugary snack, your teeth are under siege for the next 20 minutes,” she says.
Find out the signs of disease your teeth can reveal.
Floss once a day
Yes, it’s a pain to wiggle floss between each of your teeth every day. Dr. Asnis has a saying: “You only have to floss the teeth you want to keep.” Flossing prevents bone loss and cavities in the dark recesses of your molars that your toothbrush can’t reach. If you’re an adult and still can’t figure out how to use floss, don’t sweat it and take this advice instead: “Take a longer piece than you think you need, wrap it around your pinkie and ring fingers to hold the floss while using your thumb and index fingers to better control the floss,” he recommends.
Here’s exactly how long you need to brush your teeth.
Add more calcium to your diet
You already know that calcium helps strengthen your bones, but did you know it can help prevent tooth decay? (Teeth are actually stronger than bones, after all.) Dr. Rozenberg says this essential mineral is vital for your smile; make sure your diet has plenty of milk and yogurt, leafy greens like broccoli and bok choy, canned fish with bones, almonds, and Brazil nuts.
On the flip side, make sure you also know the foods dentists never eat.
Use mouthwash
Before you hit the sack or head out the door for the day, take a swish of fluoride mouthwash to cleanse all the nooks-and-crannies that you can’t get to on your own, recommends Dr. Asnis. Fluoride rinses help build up your enamel (that’s especially helpful if you happen to have sensitive teeth). “Research shows alcohol and alcohol-free mouthwashes are both very effective at removing plaque and the bacteria that produce it,” he explains.
Can’t see your dentist right now? Check out these home remedies for toothaches.
Choose high-fibre foods
Fibre is vital for digestion and your heart; it can also help fight tooth decay, says Dr. Rozenberg. You can get fibre from supplements, she says, but you can also shift your diet to include more high-fibre foods. “Good sources include dried fruits such as dates, raisins, and figs, and fresh fruits, like bananas, apples, and oranges. Other options include veggies, such as beans, Brussels sprouts, and peas, along with peanuts, almonds, and bran,” she explains.
Next, check out these other tips from Canadian dentists!
