How To Best Protect Your Teeth From Decay

Written By Lizzie Howard / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

If you don't practice good oral hygiene, you'll experience common incidences of tooth decay and cavities. Your teeth should last you a lifetime, and a good oral care routine will help you protect them.

This involves knowing how and when to use dental health practices for the best possible results. Once you understand the basic principles of proper tooth care, you'll be better able to keep your teeth healthier for longer.

Avoid Eating Sugar

You'll protect your teeth by avoiding junk food that contains high amounts of added sugar. Since carbs are converted into sugar as they are eaten, you should also limit your intake of those foods.

Once sugar is introduced into your mouth, the germs that are already present will interact with it to create an acidic substance. This substance attacks the tooth enamel and causes tooth decay to begin.

Germs will also protect your enamel, as they eat the sugar that is stuck to your teeth. This is why you should brush immediately after eating sugary or sticky sweets. You'll also protect your teeth by eating more nutrient-rich fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. Snack on healthier foods to keep your teeth strong and free of decay.

Know How to Brush Your Teeth Correctly

One of the most important aspects of proper dental care is knowing how and when to brush your teeth. While you should brush your teeth twice per day, it may be necessary to brush more frequently when you eat sweet or sticky foods. When brushing, be sure to use a good quality soft-bristled brush and toothpaste.

Rather than pressing the bristles against your teeth, hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to your teeth. Gently move the bristles in a circular motion to cover the front and back of each tooth. Think of brushing more like you're polishing a car rather than trying to scrub your teeth harshly.

Brushing too hard will erode your tooth enamel and increase your risk for tooth decay. As you brush, be sure to brush your gum tissue gently to remove germs from the gum line.

Use Floss Each Day

You should floss every day, and research has shown that flossing just before brushing improves the effectiveness of brushing. It loosens the food particles in hard-to-reach places to ensures they are flushed out of the mouth during brushing.

If you have braces or find it difficult to maneuver the floss in your mouth, try using a water pick. The pressurized water will force food particles and germs out of those tight spaces between your teeth.

It will also flush the spaces between teeth and the metal brackets of your braces. If you notice that your mouth tastes unpleasant or you have bad breath, floss an extra time and rinse with water to remove stuck food particles and sugar.

Keep Your Teeth Straight

If you have an overbite, missing tooth, or another dental abnormality, you should visit an orthodontist in New York or your local area. They can help you choose from a variety of treatment options to straighten your teeth.

An uneven smile or missing tooth creates the perfect opportunity for germs, sugar, and food particles to infect your gum tissue. From there, the roots of your teeth and the underlying bone can become infected, leading to tooth decay, gum disease, and bone loss. You can prevent these issues and enjoy a brighter-looking smile by keeping a straight set of teeth.

An effective oral care routine should also include regular visits to your dentist. By scheduling a dental exam and cleaning every six months, you'll keep your smile brighter and healthier. Additionally, your dentist will be able to identify any dental health issues that have started to emerge.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list. 

Written By:
Lizzie Howard is a Colorado native who after graduating from the University of Colorado spends her time as a freelance writer. When Lizzie isn’t writing, she enjoys going on hikes, baking for her friends and family, and spending time with her beloved yellow lab, Sparky.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.