More people get tooth decay than any other disease, but tooth decay is one of the easiest health diseases to prevent. The most common dental ailments are tooth decay and gum disease, and both can be prevented by taking simple steps that are both easy and affordable. It all comes down to your daily habits: Practicing good oral hygiene, eating and drinking healthful foods, and avoiding tobacco are the cornerstones of preventive dentistry. Follow these steps and you’ll significantly reduce your risk for dental disease.

10 Simple Steps to Prevent Dental Disease

1. Brush your teeth every morning and every evening. This should be a natural part of your everyday life. Brush your teeth after you wake in the morning and before you go to sleep at night. You can also brush after eating throughout the day to prevent plaque build-up and freshen your breath.

2. Floss daily. Don’t neglect flossing. Floss reaches the narrow spaces that your toothbrush can’t to dislodge food particles and clear away plaque.

3. Use an anti-bacterial mouthwash. This extra step will help keep bad bacteria at bay. Bonus: Most mouthwashes pull double duty by also freshening breath.

4. Use a fluoride toothpaste. Choose a toothpaste enriched with fluoride. Fluoride strengthens your tooth enamel so it’s more resistant to decay.

5. Visit your dentist for a cleaning and check-up every six months. Without fail, you should be visiting your dentist twice a year. Twice-yearly dental cleanings are important to remove tartar build-up that cannot be done at home, plus it allows your dentist the chance to exam your teeth and prevent dental problems before they start.

6. Skip staining beverages like coffee, soda and red wine in favor of water. These drinks not only stain your teeth, but their acidity can also weaken your enamel.

7. Watch your intake of sugary, starchy and acidic foods. Sugar and starches react with the bacteria in your mouth to form an acid that erodes your tooth enamel. This leads to tooth decay. Prevent tooth decay by avoiding sugary, starchy foods.

8. Don’t overuse over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. The overuse of these do-it-yourself whitening products can weaken your tooth enamel and make your teeth more sensitive. This makes your teeth more susceptible to tooth decay.

9. Clean your tongue. Your tongue is important too! Make sure to brush it thoroughly when you brush your teeth.

10. Quit smoking. Use of tobacco products can wreak havoc on your mouth. Quit and your overall health will improve.

ABOUT YOUR SHREWSBURY DENTISTS:

At Modern Dentistry, Todd A. Pizzi, DDS, and Luciana Messina, DDS, are dedicated to providing high-quality cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dentistry services to patients and families in Shrewsbury, Worcester, North and South Grafton, Westborough, Southborough, Northborough, Boylston, Hopkinton, Millbury, and all surrounding communities. To schedule your next appointment, contact our office by calling (508) 842-6356 today.