Tooth decay and how to prevent it

Tooth decay occurs when the outer layers of the tooth are damaged, this leaves the nerves on the inside exposed which is what causes tooth aches. Tooth decay is almost always caused by the foods that we eat and not properly looking after our teeth. With a little bit of care there is no need for this to occur of for you to experience any tooth pain.

The most important thing that you can do to prevent tooth decay is to make sure that you are brushing your teeth on a regular basis. This should be done at least twice a day but more would be better. When you do brush make sure that you use a toothpaste that contains fluoride as this will really help to prevent tooth decay. Also make sure that you change your toothbrush every three months, a brush with worn out bristles will not be as effective. It is also a good idea to talk to your dentist to make sure that you know how to brush your teeth properly.

It is also important that you floss your teeth every day if you are going to prevent tooth decay. It is the areas in between your teeth where the decay is most likely to occur since this is where food has a tendency to get stuck. Most people are not as rigorous about flossing as they should be so don't forget to do this. Most of us were taught to floss our teeth after brushing them, it is actually better to do them in the other order and floss first and then brush your teeth. This will make sure that all of the stuff that was between your teeth gets removed.

Eating healthy is also an important part of preventing tooth decay. The key thing is to make sure that you avoid eating foods that contain a lot of sugar. It is also best to stay away from foods that have a lot of acid in them. The best foods to eat are fruits and vegetables as these will actually help to clean your teeth. Even so you still need to brush after you eat them.

Of course if you are going to prevent tooth decay you are going to want to make sure that you see your dentist on a regular basis. Your dentist can not only check for cavities and other problems but he can provide a much more thorough cleaning than you could do yourself. Your dentist may also provide you with fluoride treatments which will help to make your teeth stronger so that there is less risk of decay. Your dentist may also recommend having a sealant placed over your teeth to protect them from decay. This sealant is usually applied to the surface of the molars as this is the most likely place for decay to occur.