Cavities can do more than ruin your smile. Given enough time, they can affect your overall well-being.
Cavities can do more than ruin your smile. Given enough time, they can affect your overall well-being. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, using floss and mouthwash, and going to the dentist are all responsible ways to maintain oral hygiene and protect your teeth. Read on to learn more!
Cavities
You might not think of cavities as infections, but that’s why they are. While it is true that the bacteria in your mouth dissolve the enamel, not all bacteria in your mouth is actually harmful. Without proper brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use, the activity of the bacteria will form plaque. Plaque can harden into tartar if left untreated, so it’s best to do something about it on a daily basis. That’s why you should brush, floss, and go see your dentist.
Plaque
Plaque wears down the enamel of your teeth. This process leaves behind pits that develop into a cavity. The more the cavity worsens, the more damage it does to your teeth. It can even expose the roots of your tooth, increasing how sensitive your teeth are. Toothaches are no joke since they are hard to stop – this issue gets even harder to resolve when the toothaches are caused by impacted teeth, such as wisdom teeth that don’t erupt correctly.
Risk Factors
Do you enjoy eating sweets and drinking sugary drinks? If so, then you have a so-called “sweet tooth” which could put you at risk of dental cavities, loose teeth, and eventually, the need for dentures. Tooth decay is also a big problem that you will need to consider. In other words, if you like to snack throughout the day while drinking soda or juice, you are much more likely to get cavities than if you don’t.
Fighting Cavities
Here is a list of suggestions for some simple ways to fight cavities:
- Stay away from refined white sugar
- Only drink unsweetened tea (both black and green)
- Eat a healthier diet
- Chew sugar-free gum
- Brush your teeth first thing in the morning
- Get more xylitol
- Use a straw
KEEP YOUR MOUTH HAPPY WITH ANNAPOLIS DENTAL CARE!
Whether it’s a regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and give them the highest quality care. To set up an appointment today, please give us a call at 410-571-5014 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube! We are always looking for new patients, so if you live in Arnold, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD, come on down!