There is no doubt when we talk about oral problems, the most common is cavities. A disease that every day more people suffer regardless of their age. It is for this reason that in these lines we are going to see in depth what is a cavity and how it can be prevented.
¿What are cavities?
In essence, we can say that a cavity is nothing more than an infectious disease that has been caused by the bacteria that is produced by the remains of food stored in the teeth. This bacteria start demineralizing teeth since the beginning.
As we have already mentioned, this disease can affect both children and the elderly and it is usually originated from poor oral hygiene, although there can always be other factors.
It is true that cavities present symptoms that are perfectly identified for both dentists and patients.
● Discomfort or pain in the area where the caries have occurred.
● Bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth is another possible sign of tooth decay. This is due to the presence of the bacteria.
● Tooth sensitivity. The cause of this sensitivity is the small hole that bacteria make in the tooth, which makes cold or heat penetrate the nerve very easily.
● Tooth color change is very common. In fact, practically all people usually see a dark hue in the place where they have cavities.
● Although it is not the most frequent, it is true that bleeding from the tooth can be another fairly common symptom if necessary.
Tips to prevent cavities
At first, cavities may not be a serious oral problem. However, poorly treated or treated late can be complicated. This reality makes prevention the best weapon available.
Daily brushing
Undoubtedly, this is the main measure that must be taken into account when preventing cavities. And it is that as a consequence of all the meals we make throughout the day, the risk that their remains will accumulate is very high.
That is why it is recommended to carry out a brushing on a daily basis. A brushing that should last at least two minutes and that should emphasize all corners of the mouth, especially those that are difficult to access.
The use of a toothpaste, as well as the use of a certain brushing, does not mark the quality of the brushing. The quality of the brushing is set by the method to be followed and the time used.
Complete your oral hygiene
You can make the mistake of thinking that oral hygiene ends with good tooth brushing. Unfortunately, this is not the case at all. While it is true that a good brushing can eliminate a large part of the remains of food and bacteria, you can always go a little further.
● Dental floss. We have to recognize that the use of dental floss is not very widespread. However, it is currently known to be very useful. Thanks to him we will be able to reach those spaces that are between the dental pieces that the brush simply does not reach.
● Mouthwashes. The use of these types of rinses has to be supervised by a specialist. However, it must be recognized that its effectiveness is more than proven, making oral hygiene much higher, thus avoiding future problems.
Maintain a balanced diet
Maintaining a balanced diet is interesting for any area of life. And one of them is for oral hygiene. That is why it is always recommended to follow very well defined guidelines.
– Even if food residues are removed, it is always advisable not to abuse those foods with a high sugar content.
– Soft drinks contribute to weakening the enamel, which can favor, in some cases, the appearance of cavities.
– Foods such as meat and sausages are clear candidates for releasing the small remains that will remain in the mouth despite a good brushing. Hence we have to be very careful when eating them
Visit your dentist
But of course, all these prevention guidelines will be useless if you do not visit the dentist with a certain frequency. It is difficult to say what is the optimal frequency since each person’s mouth and lifestyle is completely different. However, visiting the specialist once every 6 months can be a good recommendation.
Keep in mind that a visit to the dentist should not only be done to treat a problem. It should also be done to review the current state of the mouth and prevent any ailment such as, for example, the case of cavities. In this way, we will not only be preventing the appearance of cavities but, at the same time, we will be tackling other problems that may have a much more complex solution.
As you have been able to verify for yourself the steps that must be followed to prevent cavities are nothing extraordinary. With this what we mean is that anyone can carry them out, thus maintaining their oral health in optimal conditions. A fact that will allow you to have a much better quality of life since chewing, discomfort and future stomach problems can be consequences that are not at all desirable from any point of view.