One of the most common dental problems most people have is cavities. They are something that no one wants to get, however they happen all the time. What are cavities? Cavities are formed when the outer enamel layer of your teeth is broken down over time. In 2016, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study showing that 90% of Americans have had a cavity at some point in their life. This is quite a high percentage showing just how common it is to get a cavity. Here at Tree City dental, we have some tips to help make sure you don’t fall into that 90%.

How Can You Get A Cavity?

In order to prevent getting a cavity, you have to understand how you can get one. As mentioned above, you get cavities by breaking down the enamel on your teeth. Four main food groups that cause this to happen are:

  • Candy
  • Starchy Snacks
  • Acidic foods/drinks
  • Sweet/sugary foods

These food groups are primarily the most frequent to give you cavities. They can break down the enamel wall very quickly if not treated properly. In moderation, these food groups won’t give you a cavity, but too much consumption of these will eventually lead to one. By brushing your teeth and flossing regularly, you can have peace of mind that you won’t get a cavity.
< Signs That You Have A Cavity

How do you know if you have a cavity? There are a few common signs that will help you know if you have one. The three most typical signs that will tell you if you have a cavity or not are hot and cold sensitivity, lingering sensitivity to sweets, or a toothache. Being sensitive to hot and cold temperatures would mean having discomfort while drinking either a cup of hot coffee or a glass of ice cold water. The tooth containing the cavity would not respond kindly, so you would know the exact tooth affected right away. Similarly to temperature sensitivity, sensitivity to sweets is a good indication of a cavity. Eating or drinking surgery things will cause pain to the tooth with the cavity. Lastly, overall pain in the mouth without consuming anything means you could have a cavity and need to get an appointment scheduled right away.

Foods That are good for your Teeth

You know what not to eat to protect your teeth, but it is also important to know what you should be eating. Foods that are high in Calcium, Vitamin D, and Phosphorus help protect your teeth and will lessen the chance of getting a cavity. Some foods that fall into these categories are milk, egg yolks, broccoli, salmon, and avocados. While the list can go on and on, these are just a few examples to get the general idea of what you should be eating. Making sure that you are eating the right foods is not only important for your teeth’s health, but for your overall health as well.

Oral Hygiene Routine

Eating the right foods will help you lower your risk of getting a cavity however, you need to be proactively cleaning your teeth as well. In order to ensure that your teeth are protected and staying healthy you should brush and floss your teeth regularly. It is strongly recommended that you brush and floss your teeth twice a day, every day. Once in the morning, and once at night right before bed. This will make sure that you start your day off with clean teeth, and then go to bed with clean teeth so your teeth don’t decay and plaque settles overnight. Taking care of your teeth is more important than you think. The first thing people notice when meeting one another is the person’s teeth. This is why keeping up with your oral hygiene is crucial.

Tree City Dental

Here at Tree City Dental, we make sure our patients have the best-looking teeth in town. We recommend that you come in once every six months to get your teeth cleaned and checked out to make sure everything is looking right. Dr. Connaughton and Dr. Bator are two of the best dentists in the business and will ensure that you get that million dollar smile that you know you’ve always wanted. They see patients with cavities quite often, so they know exactly how to handle it. When you’re in their office you know you are in good hands, as soon as you walk out of their office you will be cavity free!

If you are feeling a little ache in your teeth, don’t hold off any longer, give us a call today and we’ll fix that cavity in no time!
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