10 things dentists always do to prevent tooth decay

It’s no secret that what you eat affects your dental health. The sweet cup of coffee or the sugar-dusted doughnut you have for breakfast can actually lead to cavities, also known as tooth decay. Cavities are common, even if you do follow good oral hygiene. So, how can you prevent tooth decay? The dentists we spoke to provide tips to keep your teeth healthy and cavity-free, from using fluoride toothpaste to opting for high-fibre foods.

Certified cosmetic dentist Lana Rozenberg recommends reading your toothpaste label to make sure it contains fluoride. “Fluoride toothpaste protects from demineralisation – which is when bacteria in the mouth combine with sugars to produce acid,” she says. “This acid can erode tooth enamel and damage our teeth.”

Try these tips for keeping your pearlies white.

New York dentist Scott Asnis says that keeping your pearly whites clean will ward off nasty bacteria. Dr Asnis says studies have proven that electric toothbrushes clean teeth significantly better than regular ones. “Most electric toothbrushes have features that prevent brushing too hard, which, in turn, prevents accidentally damaging teeth and gums and causing gum recession,” he notes. “As gums recede, the roots of the teeth become exposed resulting in hot and cold sensitivity, bone loss and an increased risk of dental caries.”

Do you fear going to the dentist? You’re not alone. You should bring up this concern with your dentist (or find a new one), recommends dentist Haissam Dahan. “By going to your dentist regularly, they can find small or new cavities and offer treatments that can prevent cavities from getting bigger. These options can be a fluoride treatment, sealants to prevent cavities from growing, or using silver diamine fluoride which can stop cavities from growing.”

If you’ve had countless fillings and root canals, you might want to consider a sealant that protects your teeth from bacteria. Aesthetic dentist Robert Bryce suggests talking to your dentist about applying a resin to the grooves of your teeth; this is an occlusal sealant, and it makes it tougher for bacteria to take up residence.

If you don’t smile because of crooked teeth, you might be wondering are you too old to get braces. But today there are several treatment options available.

Your prescriptions can have unexpected side effects, like harming your teeth, warns oral surgeon and author Ira Kamp. He recommends paying extra attention to your dental health when you get a new prescription. “Most medications cause dry mouth, and a dry mouth makes you more prone to cavities,” he says. “If you are taking medications that dry your mouth, practise thorough oral hygiene several times a day including after you eat, drink plenty of water, and talk to your doctor about your medications.”

Do your belly and your mouth a favour by cutting back on the sweet treats. Dr Rozenberg says low-sugar, healthy foods help ward away the plaque that wrecks the enamel on your teeth. “Each time you eat a sugary snack, your teeth are under siege for the next 20 minutes,” she says.

Yes, it’s a pain to wiggle floss between each of your teeth every day. Dr Asnis has a saying: “You only have to floss the teeth you want to keep.” Flossing prevents bone loss and cavities in the dark recesses of your molars that your toothbrush can’t reach. If you’re an adult and still can’t figure out how to use floss, don’t sweat it – take this advice instead: “Take a longer piece of floss than you think you need, wrap it around your pinkie and ring fingers to hold the floss while using your thumb and index fingers to better control the floss,” he recommends.

You already know that calcium helps strengthen your bones, but did you know it can help prevent tooth decay? (Teeth are actually stronger than bones, after all.) Dr Rozenberg says this essential mineral is vital for your smile; make sure your diet has plenty of milk and yoghurt, leafy greens like broccoli and bok choy, canned fish with bones, almonds and Brazil nuts.

Before you hit the sack or head out the door for the day, take a swish of fluoride mouthwash to cleanse all the nooks-and-crannies that you can’t get to on your own, recommends Dr Asnis. Fluoride rinses help build up your enamel (that’s especially helpful if you happen to have sensitive teeth). “Research shows alcohol and alcohol-free mouthwashes are both very effective at removing plaque and the bacteria that produce it,” he says.

Mouthwash is also often used to freshen breath. Here are natural hygiene tips for bad breath.