Do you want desperately to avoid cavities? Whether your motivation for maintaining great oral health is because you love the beautiful and healthy smile you have now, or because you are tired of being diagnosed with dental decay, the good news is that it is possible to better protect your teeth from cavities, and other dental problems. It just requires a combination of smart choices, which you can make at-home and on a daily basis, with key preventive care from your general dentist. That way you can avoid the discomfort associated with cavities, and just as importantly, keep smiling confidently knowing that your smile is both healthy and beautiful!

Brush and Floss Your Teeth Daily

One simple way to care for your smile is through dental hygiene, such as by brushing at least twice a day. What many people don’t realize is that a third time, such as after lunch, is often recommended, if possible. For those that cannot brush at midday, though, it can be helpful to chew on sugar-free gum or even to drink a large glass of water, both of which can help to gently rinse food particles and bacteria from the teeth in between brushings.

Of course, it is just as important to floss, as it is to brush. That is because flossing is the only way to remove the food particles that can be left behind, and actually stuck in the small crevices between the teeth, after brushing. Flossing should only take a few minutes, once you have mastered the proper technique, which simply takes smile-healthy daily practice.

Eat a Balanced, Healthy Diet

Another way to prevent against cavities is by eating a well-balanced and healthy diet. Perhaps most importantly, this means avoiding too much sugar. The plaque bacteria responsible for creating acidity in the smile feed on sugar, so the more you consume the more likely you are to develop cavities.

Drinking water can also help in your quest for oral health! Plus, it stops you from overdoing the soda, sweetened teas and other sugary drinks.

Attend Routine Dental Checkups and Cleanings

Finally, it is essential to see your dentist regularly, for routine preventive care. This allows the dentist to remove plaque bacteria once it has calcified onto the teeth, and it also gives the dentist a chance to check for any burgeoning issues. Most people need to see the dentist at least twice a year, to adequately protect against problems. That said, if you are prone to cavities, you may find that more frequent cleanings and checkups is actually the key to preventing dental problems.