5 Practical Ways to Prevent More Cavities

Cavities are incredibly common — so common, nearly everyone has at least one by the time they reach their 30s. While fillings, crowns, and other restorations can help repair and protect teeth damaged by decay, prevention is a much better strategy.

At Novi Family Dentistry in Novi, Michigan, Abir Faraj, DDS, and her team offer patient-centered strategies to treat and prevent cavities, ensuring each patient enjoys optimal oral health and a beautiful smile. 

Here, we offer five simple steps you can take to help avoid tooth decay in the future.

1. Don’t skip the floss

Only about a third of American adults floss their teeth every day, even though the task only takes a few minutes to complete. Flossing might not seem like a big deal — after all, you brush and use mouth rinse, so what’s the point of flossing?

Flossing plays a major role in cavity prevention, especially when it comes to cavities that form in the crevices between your teeth and along your gumline. By removing as much as 80% of hard-to-reach plaque deposits, flossing improves your overall oral health while dramatically reducing your risk of gum disease, a major cause of adult tooth loss.

Flossing once a day is important, but how you floss counts too. You can find simple instructions here. Regular flossing thread, special floss picks, and even water flossers can get the job done when used correctly and regularly.

2. Limit acidic foods

Most of us know sugar is a primary culprit when it comes to causing tooth decay, but do you know why? Sugar is a favorite food of bacteria. When bacteria in your mouth consume sugar, they produce acids that soften and eat away at your tooth enamel, eventually causing a painful cavity. 

Acidic foods can have a similar effect. This includes citrus fruits and juices, sodas, and those ever-popular energy drinks, as well as tomato sauces and vinegar-based condiments and dressings. 

Some acidic foods are healthy, such as citrus and tomatoes. Instead of eliminating them, rinse your mouth after eating to remove residue. Wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to give your enamel time to re-harden.

3. Snack smart

Every time you eat, your mouth produces extra acid to aid in the initial stages of digestion. If you tend to snack throughout the day, your teeth are continually being bathed in acid, weakening the protective layer of enamel.

If you can, limit your snacking to one snack between your main meals. When you do indulge, opt for foods that are less likely to cause sticky plaque film that will cling to your teeth and increase your risk of cavities. Crunchy, raw vegetables, nuts, and cheese or plain yogurt are all good choices. 

4. Carry a water bottle

Drinking water is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent cavities and support your overall oral health. Water helps rinse away food particles, bacteria, and sugars that can lead to enamel erosion and decay. 

Drink plenty of water with and after meals, and carry a bottle with you to supplement natural saliva production, especially if you have dry mouth, a chronic condition that significantly increases your risk of cavities. Keeping water on hand also prevents you from reaching for less healthy options, like sugar-laden sodas and sports drinks.

5. Don’t skip your checkups

Most dental checkups and cleanings only take about an hour of your time. That means those twice-yearly appointments only cost two hours total — probably less time than you spend thinking of ways to skip your next visit.

Those twice-a-year exams play a critical role in preventing cavities and other oral health problems, removing built-up plaque and hardened tartar that harbor disease-causing bacteria. Plus, those visits give Dr. Faraj a chance to check for early signs of oral health problems that can happen even before you notice any symptoms.

A lifetime of healthy smiles

Preventing cavities doesn’t require complicated routines or major lifestyle changes. By incorporating these simple practices, you can reduce your cavity risk and enjoy better oral health now and for years to come. 

To learn how we can help your smile stay its healthiest, book an appointment with Dr. Faraj and our team by calling 313-646-7903 or scheduling online today.