How To Stop Tooth Decay

Understanding how to stop tooth decay is a major concern for anyone who has ever suffered from a bad toothache or an unpleasant dental appointment. Tooth decay is one of the leading health issues in the world, magnified in no small part by the easy access of sugary drinks and high carbohydrate levels in the foods that we eat. Compound that with a lack of dental care and inadequate dental hygiene and it's little wonder that many people don't understand how to stop tooth decay or better yet prevent it.

What you'll need to stop tooth decay is:

• A dentist.
• Fluoride toothpaste.
• Fluoride mouthwash.
• Dental floss.

1. Find and visit a dentist. The best way to stop tooth decay is through prevention. Make and keep appointments to see your dentist every six months to a year for dental cleanings and exams. For advanced tooth decay the only way to stop it may be through a root canal or in a worse case scenario, tooth extraction.
2. Brush daily with a fluoride toothpaste. Get into the habit of brushing your teeth at least twice daily. Tooth decay is caused by food, saliva and bacteria that turns into plaque. Plaque hardens on the enamel of the teeth and acts like acid, attacking tooth enamel. Brushing twice daily will go a long way in removing this sticky substance from the surface of your teeth.
3. Get extra fluoride. Supplement your fluoride toothpaste with the use of a fluoride mouthwash. Fluoride helps to strengthen tooth enamel against the harmful effects of tooth decay.
4. Floss between your teeth. Another way to slow down or stop tooth decay is to floss between teeth at least once a day. Food and bacteria can settle between teeth and cause a buildup of plaque. Flossing carefully will minimize this buildup.
5. Reduce sugary foods and drinks. Try to eliminate your intake of sugary sodas and foods that are high in carbohydrates. Sugar in these types of foods wear on the teeth and increase incidents of tooth decay.

Warnings:

• Toothaches are a sign that tooth decay has reached the dental pulp and a dentist should be seen as soon as possible.
• Untreated tooth decay can result in an abscessed tooth or the loss of a tooth.

References:

American Dental Association

World Dental