Tooth decay is the destruction of tooth structure and can affect both the tooth’s enamel and dentine layers. In the early stages of tooth decay, you’ll experience tooth sensitivity or toothaches that seem to occur with no apparent cause. Unfortunately, without seeing a dentist regularly, tooth decay can easily sneak up on you and do significant harm to your teeth before you’ll be able to notice.

How does tooth decay occur?

Tooth decay occurs when foods containing high levels of carbohydrates are left on teeth. Such foods include bread, fruits, cereals, bread, cakes, or candy.

Bacteria living in the mouth digest these foods and turn them into acids. The acid, bacteria, saliva, and food debris combine to form plaque, which clings on to the teeth. The acid present in the plaque dissolves the enamel layer of the teeth, creating holes called cavities.

How to stop tooth decay

The best way to stop tooth decay is to visit the dentist as soon as you notice its formation. There are several things you can do on your own, however, that can keep your teeth healthy over the course of time. They include:

1. Changing your eating habits
Changing your eating habits improves the general health of your body, and teeth are no exception. According to a study published in The British Medical Journal, a change in diet can reverse tooth decay.

Eating too many sugary foods, coupled with poor dental hygiene, is the primary cause of tooth decay. These foods fuel the degeneration of your teeth and block the absorption of Calcium into your teeth.

Some of the changes that you can make to your diet to stop tooth decay include:

• Getting more calcium. Calcium is the main building element of your teeth and bones; therefore, eating more calcium-rich foods will improve your teeth’ health. The best source of Calcium is dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt. You may also take calcium supplements.
• Drinking unsweetened beverages. Avoid taking fizzy drinks, sodas, and juices. You can replace these types of beverages with water, unsweetened tea, and fruit smoothies. You can also increase your water intake levels since it increases saliva flow, thus carrying away the bacteria.

2. Cleaning and changing your toothbrush regularly

The toothbrush is the most essential and useful tool for cleaning your teeth. It would be best if you changed your toothbrush regularly. This is because its bristles deteriorate with time, and as a result, it doesn’t clean your teeth well enough.

Another important tip for maintaining your toothbrush is to avoid covering it. You should clean and rinse your toothbrush thoroughly after use and leave it to dry in the air.

Also, when buying a toothbrush, always go for a small or medium-sized brush, whose bristles can reach into the crevices of your molars.

3. Chewing sugarless gum

Chewing sugarless gum might sound ironic, but it prevents tooth decay. Most sugarless gums contain xylitol, which is a natural sweetener. Unlike starch, xylitol does not support the growth of bacteria in your mouth. Another advantage of chewing sugarless gum is that it causes your mouth to fill with saliva, which washes down food remains naturally.

4. Following a basic dental care routine

Following basic dental hygiene might sound like a piece of overly cliche advice, but it works. According to The International Dental Association, 42% of all adults use a toothbrush only for their dental hygiene.

To maintain proper dental hygiene and stop tooth decay, incorporate the following routine when cleaning your teeth in the morning and before bed.

• Brush your teeth for at least two minutes. When doing this, ensure that you brush all your teeth’ surfaces and reach into the furthest corners. Using a fluoride toothpaste is also recommended.
• Floss. In most cases, brushing your teeth does not work as well as flossing. Use dental floss to pull out any remaining food in between your teeth and underneath your gums. This ensures that the bacteria in your mouth doesn’t have food to convert into acid, which might lead to further tooth decay.
• Use mouthwash. All mouthwash products have an antibacterial ingredient that helps you eliminate any residual bacteria in your mouth.

5. Visiting your dentist for regular cleaning

No matter how diligently you brush your teeth, there are certain areas that you will never get to. A dentist will clean near the gum line in the front and back of your teeth, removing plaque and tartar. A dentist also has a higher probability of spotting new decaying teeth and advising you on the best way to treat them. It would help if you visited the dentist at least twice a year.

Final verdict

According to the ADA, 91% of Americans over the age of twenty years have had tooth decay at some point in their lives. Tooth decay can lead to further dental complications like lousy odor and gum infections. It should, therefore, be prevented at all costs and treated as soon as it sets in.

In this post, we have discussed five easy ways on how to stop tooth decay. These tips are straightforward to follow and will leave your teeth whiter and healthier. So, don’t wait until you have a swollen gum or a gaping hole in your tooth. Take charge of your dental hygiene now!