Cavities (tooth decay) occur when plaque (the sticky substance that forms on teeth) combines with the sugars in the foods that we eat. This combination produces acids that attack tooth enamel. Tooth decay is a preventable disease.

Below are some top tips to help reduce the risk of tooth decay developing:

–    Brush Your Teeth
– Brushing your teeth properly at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste will help remove food debris.

–    Floss Daily
– Food debris gets caught in between our teeth when we eat. If not removed, it can lead to cavities. Flossing daily is one of the ways to remove debris from in between teeth.

–    Eat Healthy
– Nutrition plays an important role in good dental health. Eating ‘safe’ snacks and limiting the intake of sugary drinks to meal times will help to prevent tooth decay.

–    Visit Your Dentist
– This allows us to carefully check for signs of possible malignant lesions and any other illnesses. Prompt detection and treatment can greatly improve an outcome.

–   Special tests
– Cavities can progress without you ever knowing there is a problem. Cavities can be identified by a dentist when a check-up is completed. Visiting your dentist for regular check-ups are a key factor in preventing dental disease.

–   Use of a mouthwash
– There are several mouthwashes available that have been clinically proven to reduce plaque. Often they contain fluoride, which helps to re-harden the tooth’s enamel thereby helping to reduce tooth decay.

–   Chew (Sugar-free) Gum
– Chewing sugar-free gum can actually help to prevent cavities by increasing the flow of saliva in your mouth.

As well as dental cavities, gum disease is a major disease that can progress unnoticed. Regular check-ups and hygiene visits can help to diagnose gum disease and keep the disease in a stable condition.