Flossing to Prevent Cavities

The teeth are made up of the hardest substance in the human body called tooth enamel. While enamel is exceptionally hard, it is not invincible. Dental cavities are the most prevalent issue in oral health world wide. However, they are also the most preventable. Understanding cavity prevention is the best method of fighting off the destruction of your teeth and mouth.

Cavities are caused by damaging plaque and acids within the mouth. Plaque is the sticky white film that you can feel on your teeth if you run your tongue across your teeth at the end of the day. This plaque is made up of millions of bacteria that thrive off of the sugars and carbohydrates in the foods and beverages that you eat. Plaque is made up of millions of bacteria, and as these bacteria feast on the sugars left behind in your mouth they begin to produce acid. It is this acid that, if it is not cleared out of the mouth, will demineralize tooth enamel. As more of the tooth enamel becomes demineralized, a hole, or cavity, will form in the tooth.

Cavity prevention is almost entirely up to you. Your diet has a large impact on your general health as well as your oral health. Diets high in refined sugars have a frequent and direct link to dental cavities. Sugar easily sticks to the teeth, and foods like candy, fruit snacks, and sodas are full of sticky sugar that assault the teeth continuously until they are cleaned.

Let’s talk for a minute about cleaning your teeth. You brush at least twice a day, right? Well, that is not enough! People who brush and do not floss on a daily basis are leaving their teeth susceptible to cavities. While brushing your teeth is extremely important, the bristles of your tooth brush cannot reach the tight spaces between your teeth. Therefore, the spaces between the teeth are left covered in damaging plaque and cavities are all but inevitable.

Pristine Dental is here in Walpole, MA as a leading dental practice for patients of all ages. We are here to help you achieve optimal oral health and will go out of our way to assist you in cavity prevention. Please call our practice today to schedule an appointment.