You know that good hygiene is important to keeping your smile healthy. But, if you’ve ever had a cavity (or know someone who has despite their good hygiene), then you might wonder if good hygiene really is effective at protecting your smile. The truth is that, combined with regular preventive dental care, good hygiene is paramount to preventing cavities. It only takes one weak link in your routine for oral bacteria to slip past it and lead to a cavity.
How a Cavity Develops
A cavity is the hole that forms in your tooth when decay sets in. Tooth decay is an infection caused by harmful oral bacteria that have weakened your enamel enough to slip through it. As the bacteria infect more of your tooth, it destroys more of your tooth structure, making the cavity increasingly larger. The key to preventing cavity development is stopping oral bacteria from eroding your enamel, and good hygiene is the cornerstone of doing so.
Tips for Cavity-Resistant Hygiene
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once, every day, to limit bacteria buildup and reduce their effects on your teeth.
- Don’t snack too often. The more you do, the faster oral bacteria can produce harmful, tooth-eroding substances.
- Drink plenty of water. Water neutralizes harmful oral bacteria and rinses them away, preventing them from accumulating.
- Visit your dentist for a checkup and cleaning at least twice a year. You may need more frequent visits if your risk of cavities is especially high.
Improve Your Hygiene to Prevent More Cavities
The causes behind cavities – oral bacteria – are a constant threat, so preventing them means controlling these bacteria through consistently good hygiene practices. To learn more, schedule an appointment by calling Lathrop Dental Center in Katy, TX at 832-437-3849. We proudly welcome patients and families from Katy, Fulshear, Weston Lakes, Simonton, Richmond, Rosenberg, Brookshire, Wallis, Orchard, Cypress, Sealy, Columbus, and all surrounding communities.
