How Can I Prevent Cavities?
Dr. Elizabeth Jean Herko
Dentist
New Providence, NJ
Dr. Elizabeth Jean Herko M.P.H., D.D.S. is a top Dentist in New Providence, NJ. With a passion for the field and an unwavering commitment to their specialty, Dr. Elizabeth Jean Herko M.P.H., D.D.S. is an expert in changing the lives of their patients for the better. Through their designated cause and expertise in the... more
Unfortunately having a cavity filled at your dentist's office doesn't address the real problem. The real problem is what caused that cavity in the first place. Here are five steps to help you address the real problem and stop your cavities from forming.
- Brush your teeth for 2 minutes in the morning and at night. The bacteria that cause cavities live in the food that we leave on our teeth. If we regularly remove this food, they will have no time to damage our teeth.
- Floss your teeth every night. Some people think you only have to floss your front teeth, but you actually have to floss every tooth that touches another tooth.
- Use a fluoride toothpaste and fluoride rinse. Fluoride makes teeth more resistant to cavities. Mouth rinses are generally only good for one thing. They are either good for gums or for your teeth. To prevent cavities you are looking for a rinse that contains fluoride.
- Drink water between meals. Many drinks that are on the market are very acidic and therefore erosive to your teeth. Water can remove debris from your teeth. People with dry mouth (those taking medications or dehydrated athletes) get more cavities.
- Visit your dentist regularly. Unfortunately, when we fill a tooth that filling doesn’t last forever. As the filling ages it starts to leak and then bacteria gets in the crevice and makes the area acidic, causing new decay at that location. Visit your dentist regularly to catch that cavity/hole when it’s small so that more of your natural tooth can be saved.
