What Are Cavities and How Do They Form?
 Nobody likes to think about having a little hole in one of their teeth, but that's exactly what you have when you take a look in the mirror and see a brown or black spot. Caused by bacteria living in your mouth, if not removed can lead to build-up and eventually cause the erosion that is a cavity. If left untreated, it can become quite painful and can lead to loss of the tooth. Here at Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City, we want to prevent those holes from forming. With proper care and frequent checkups, it is possible to go your life without ever having a cavity.
How Do I Stop Cavities from Forming?
If you think back to a time when your teeth felt like they were growing a fur coat, that was the bacteria in your mouth, about to have a little snack too. Bacteria love sugar and will seek it out in all forms, such as your favorite sodas, juices, chips, candies, and even that delicious red apple that is still very good for you. That fuzz on your teeth, if left long enough, can lead to a plaque buildup, which is that chalky white stuff around your gum line that doesn't brush off. The good news is it is simple to remove and easy to prevent the damage caused by the acid. Once you become aware of the film growing on your teeth, simply remove it.
How To Clean Your Teeth
One of the easiest methods of cleaning your teeth is with a cloth. If you are out and do not have a toothbrush readily available, even using the hem of your sleeve discreetly can help preserve the integrity of your mouth. Having a glass of water available after every meal to flush out particles that may remain is also an effective way of protecting your mouth.
Most commonly used are toothbrushes, which come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and they can even be electric! In addition to this, using floss or even carrying a simple dental pic in your pocket for those moments something gets stuck between teeth are some of the best means of keeping them clean between regular visits. Brushing after breakfast and before bed, then flossing once a day is powerful at destroying harmful bacteria.
What You Eat Matters
Nobody likes to think about it, but the most common source of food for the bacteria happens to come from some of our favorite snacks. Most of us know that candy, cookies, and ice cream are filled with sugar, but it isn't common knowledge that many fruits, vegetables, and even most dairy products contain their form of sugar that bacteria like just as much as simple sweeteners. The thought of giving up those treats is awful, but fortunately learning how to limit ourselves to smaller portions of sugary snacks and cleaning our mouths up good afterward can help prevent unsightly cavities.
It is amazing how easy it is to stop cavities! They can be quite painful and who has time for that? Stop in at Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City or just give us a call at 971-470-0045, and we'll get you started on your way to healthy teeth! |
