Preventive Measures You Can Take At Home To Protect Your Oral Health

Dental care can be preventive or restorative. Restorative applications are used to repair the damage that the teeth have sustained from trauma or decay. However, preventive services help protect the teeth, preventing the damage from ever occurring. 

At your dentist's office, they may offer multiple preventive procedures, such as dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants. Cleanings help remove tartar accumulations to prevent decay and gum disease. Fluoride treatments help remineralize the teeth and strengthen the tooth material. Additionally, sealants act as protective barriers that help prevent cavities by restricting the contact between the tooth enamel and decay-causing acids.

In addition to the care that your dentist provides, some preventive measures can be taken at home to protect your oral health. Here are a few of them. 

Brushing Twice Daily

Brushing in the morning helps remove the buildup of bacteria that may occur as you sleep, preventing bad breath and decay. The anaerobic bacteria that live on the surface of the tongue release large amounts of volatile sulfur compounds that give morning breath its characteristic odor. As the bacteria are eliminated, the breath is freshened. Additionally, bacterial acids are neutralized as you brush, lowering the chance of tooth decay.

Still, even though your morning brushing session is important, brushing your teeth before bed may have the greatest preventive benefits. By removing plaque and leftover bits of food from the mouth before bedtime, you can avoid the development of cavities. 

When you rest, your swallowing reflex relaxes, and less saliva is produced, As a result, bacteria are not easily rinsed away, and acids in the mouth are not properly diluted. The resulting overgrowth of bacteria coupled with the concentrated acids that they release may result in the rapid formation of cavities. By brushing before bedtime, you help clear away the microbes and harmful acids before the mouth relaxes.

Chewing Sugarless Gum

Chewing sugarless gum mechanically cleans the mouth and incites the release of large amounts of saliva. As a result, the mouth stays cleaner, and the likelihood of decay is lessened. 

Some ingredients in sugarless gum, such as titanium dioxide, also polish the teeth to help prevent dental stains or discoloration. Additionally, natural flavorings, such as cinnamon and xylitol, may have antibacterial properties that help eliminate some of the bacteria in the mouth.

It is best to chew the gum immediately after meals and snacks.

To learn more ways to protect your teeth at home, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your local area.

 


Share