TOOTH decay may not be at the forefront of many people’s minds, but if plaque is allowed to build up on teeth, painful dental caries, gum disease, or dental abscesses can form. A dentist has revealed seven ways to prevent rotting teeth. Tooth decay happens when acid is produced from plaque and then builds up on teeth. The NHS explains when you eat food and drinks high in carbohydrates, particularly sugary foods and drinks.
Advertisement
The bacteria in plaque turn the carbohydrates into energy they need while producing acid at the same time. But if plaque builds up, the acid can begin to break down the surface of the teeth. Dr. Richard Marques, of Dr. Richard Marques Dental Practice, revealed to Express.co.uk seven ways you can prevent tooth decay from happening.
Tooth Cavity Causes and Treatment
Teeth Whitening Treatment
Tooth Decay Home Remedy
Why More of Us are Crippled with Anxiety
1. Brush your teeth twice a day
One of the most important ways to prevent tooth decay is by brushing your teeth twice a day. Dr. Marques said: “Brushing twice a day, that’s really important, morning and night with fluoride toothpaste. Keep the teeth nicely brushed, get rid of all the plaque and food debris because that can cause the tooth to decay.”
2. Use an electric toothbrush
Using an electric toothbrush can be more effective than a manual toothbrush, according to Dr. Marques. He explained: “Studies have shown that they’re around 70 percent more effective than a manual toothbrush, and also the other great thing about an electric toothbrush is you can’t scrub the enamel away.
“You can’t scrub the gum away because it’s doing the movements for you. It’s rotating, not vibrating for you, and it will stop if there’s too much pressure, so that’s a really good thing about an electric toothbrush.”
3. Low sugar intake
While there’s lots of awareness at the moment about sugar for your general health, and keeping sugar intake low, Dr. Marques says it’s also important to cut down on sugar for your teeth. He added: “Dried fruit can stick in the fissures – the central grooves of the teeth – that’s where teeth tend to decay.”
4. Flossing
About 40 percent of the tooth surface is actually between the teeth, according to Dr. Marques. “So if you’re just brushing, you’re only getting 60 percent of the tooth surface, and between the teeth can decay as well.
“It’s really important that you floss to remove that plaque and bacteria that basically causes the tooth to decay.” If you don’t floss there are other ways to interdentally clean (cleaning between the teeth).
Dr. Marques added: “There’s also little brushes that can fit between the teeth if the gaps are slightly larger, and there are even machines like the water pick or Philips AirFloss which is water and air under pressure. They can also do cleaning between the teeth.”
5. Visit your dentist regularly
Dr. Marques advises you to go for regular check-ups every six months. He said: “The best way is to have a regular date put in each time or have a dentist who’s sending you reminders. “The more you do it, the easier it gets.”
6. See a hygienist
Seeing a hygienist can help you get the bits you’ve missed. Dr. Marques explained: “Having a dentist or hygienist professionally clean is really important as well – that can get things off the teeth that you can’t, even with an electric toothbrush. “Once the plaque has mineralized, you need to have it removed professionally.”
7. Avoid fizzy drinks
Avoid drinking fizzy drinks, especially full fat, full sugar cola, as this can cause teeth to decay. But if you need your daily fix of cola, Dr. Marques recommends drinking it through a straw. He said: “You can have it through a straw instead because then it will bypass the teeth.
“Also, with a straw, if you’re having a smoothie, which is really good for your system, really good for your health, then the straw will help that bypass the teeth as well.
“Some of these smoothies, even though they’re good for you, they do stain the teeth. By using a straw you can avoid touching the surface of the teeth and avoid the staining and keep the teeth whiter
