At Dental Associates of Delaware there is nothing more important to us than the oral health of our patients. Not many people know that as of right now, tooth decay is the number one chronic childhood disease. The Doctors and staff in our offices in Brandywine, Hockessin, Middletown, Wilmington, Millsboro, & Ocean View are constantly trying to raise awareness of the severity of tooth decay and what patients can do to avoid it. Currently, dental disease is five times more common than asthma and if left untreated it can lead to bacterial infections and required emergency surgery. It is important to understand how you can avoid tooth decay and what you can do to maintain a healthy Delaware smile.
What Is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is destruction of teeth that happens when bacteria in your mouth makes acids that eat away at your teeth. Once this begins to happen it can lead to what is most commonly referred to as a cavity. If tooth decay goes too long without treatment it can lead to numerous other problems including an infection and tooth loss. The bacteria in food can cause tooth decay as it leads to plaque, which creates acids. If you are not properly brushing and flossing this can lead to the destruction of your tooth enamel causing tooth decay.
Prevent Tooth Decay
The best way to avoid tooth decay and cavities is by maintaining a great oral hygiene routine. The American Association of Dental Hygienists suggests that you do the following in order to avoid tooth decay:
- Brush at least twice daily
- Floss at least twice daily
- Chew sugar free gum
- Rinse with anti-microbial mouthwash
Doing the above daily will help you avoid tooth decay but it is not an alternative to visiting the dentist regularly! Dentists that are able to catch loss of enamel and cavities will be able to help you prevent tooth loss and infection. Here are some other things you can avoid to prevent tooth decay:
- Eating foods that are high in sugar and carbohydrates as they feed the bacteria in your mouth
- Not getting enough fluoride
- Not producing enough saliva which washes away food and harmful sugars
- Smoking
Contact Our Office in Brandywine, Hockessin, Middletown, Wilmington, Millsboro, & Ocean View, DE Today!
If you have any further questions about how you can avoid cavities and tooth decay please do not hesitate to reach out to us. The staff at our offices in Brandywine, Hockessin, Middletown, Wilmington, Millsboro, and Ocean View, DE are always eager to answer your questions and look forward to hearing from you soon!