West Seneca Dentist Shares Simple Tooth Decay Strategies

Tooth decay. Two words we have been taught to fear from a very young age. For some, it seems to pop up again and again, leading to multiple cavities and extra trips to their West Seneca dentist. Today, we throw back the curtain to not only reveal the top 3 causes of this all too common problem, but what you can do to combat each one so you can keep your smile healthy, strong, and beautiful for years to come.

1. Not Enough Brushing and Flossing

By far, the number one reason people, young and old, develop tooth decay and cavities is that they simply do not brush and floss their teeth enough. It is estimated that about 20% of adults actually never floss! This allows acidic plaque to build up on the teeth and slowly break down the enamel, which is all bad news for the smile.

What to Do About It

According to the American Dental Association, the average healthy person should brush twice a day for two minutes each, floss once, and see their dentist at least every six months for a checkup and cleaning. Most people brush for much shorter than they realize, so it is helpful to use a timer for both your morning and evening session (this is especially necessary with young, easily distracted children).

2. Too Much Sugar

The bacteria that natural lives in our mouths are constantly feeding on the leftover food on ourteeth, and their number one favorite thing to eat is SUGAR. Once they consume this sugar, they create an acidic substance called plaque, which as we touched on above, causes tooth decay. Routinely having sugary snacks or beverages like soda and juices can supercharge the production of plaque, leading to a much higher occurrence of cavities over time.

What to Do About It

One of the best things most people can do is simply drink more water. It is sugar free, can quench your thirst, and it even gives the teeth a nice rinse. It is also a good idea to avoid grazing on snacks throughout the day, as this means that the teeth are perpetually being exposed to sugar. This is true even when it comes to starchy snacks like chips, as the carbohydrates actually break down into—you guessed it—sugar! Sticking to healthy snacks like nuts, cheeses, and plain yogurt will not only help reduce your sugar intake, but these items also have minerals that help strengthen the teeth.

3. Missing Dental Appointments

As we touched on above, brushing and flossing are essential to stopping tooth decay, but the truth of the matter is that they are actually not enough to completely prevent it. Your teeth have many small and hard to reach surfaces that your tools at home are just not able to clean, and these can slowly accumulate plaque and develop decay over time.

What to Do About It

This is where a professional dental cleaning in West Seneca can help. A hygienist can easily target these trouble spots to keep your mouth fully protected, basically filling in the gaps left by your home routine. It just takes one every six months to reliably keep cavities away, which is much more convenient than regularly having to get a tooth repaired!

The key to all of these strategies is consistency. Consistently taking care of your teeth at home, eating a balanced diet, and seeing your dentist will keep your smile happy and whole as the years go by. With enough diligence, tooth decay will become the kind of problem you never have to give a second thought.

About the Author

Dr. Lee Shainbrown is a graduate of the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, and he has decades of experience as a practicing family, restorative, and cosmetic dentist. Preventing tooth decay is one of his main goals for all of his patients, and to him, the key is to combine care both at home and in the dental office.

To learn more tips on how to avoid some of the most common dental issues, he invites you to contact him today.