What Is Tooth Decay and How Do I Prevent It?

PetersenFamilyDentistry • February 15, 2017

Just like the body, the mouth and teeth must be routinely cared for in order to stay healthy. If brushing and flossing routines are not adhered to, the common problem of tooth decay may arise. What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay is simply an abundance of bacteria nibbling away at your enamel and teeth. These bacteria are called plaque. Drinking water, flossing, and brushing are all daily methods that we employ to fight plaque.

A tooth decays because sugar and bacteria make their way into your mouth, and without proper care, settle onto your enamel and begin to eat away. This is not to say that brushing and flossing every day will stop your teeth from decaying. A minor amount of tooth decay or plaque buildup is normal for most adults. The problem comes when the decay develops into a cavity. Cavities can lead to severe pain and even tooth loss.

How can you prevent tooth decay? Listed below are four ways that you can fight tooth decay every day.

  1. Encourage a rigorous brushing and flossing routine for yourself and your family. There’s a reason your dentist tells you to brush for two minutes twice daily. Brushing and flossing keep bacteria out and your enamel strong. Set a reminder on your mobile device or use a fun timer with kids and you’re good to go.
  2. Stay away from sugar. Decay-causing bacteria feed on sugar so what you eat can have a major impact on your dental health. Keep sugar consumption to a minimum and plaque levels will follow suit.
  3. Drink water. Water is all-powerful. For teeth, it has the awesome ability to wash away unwanted foods, sugars, and bacteria. The more water you drink, the healthier your teeth will be.
  4. Use fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride helps strengthen enamel and keep bacteria and plaque away. Use fluoride toothpaste at least once daily to ward off tooth decay.

It is important to remember that tooth decay is extremely common. Follow the steps above to keep your teeth in tip-top shape – bacteria don’t like a clean mouth! If you think you may have a cavity, call Petersen Family Dentistry at (720) 308-9798.

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