Prevention of tooth decay
 

Preventing tooth decay begins with a daily homecare regime that includes brushing after breakfast, and brushing and flossing at night after your last meal. Removing the plaque and bacteria that build on all surfaces of a tooth daily is extremely important. Also, limiting sugars in your diet, and when you do eat sugars brush immediately after eating. Brushing within the first 20 minutes of eating sugars prevents the PH of the oral environment from dropping to an acidic level which decays the teeth. If brushing is not possible rinse with water, or chew sugarless gum.

It is also important to protect the chewing surfaces of the molar teeth in the back. These teeth have deep pits and grooves that a tooth brush bristle can't fit into to clean. These pits and grooves become habitats for plaque and bacteria which ultimately lead to decay. To prevent these teeth from decaying a protective coating can be placed over the pits and grooves, called a "sealant." Sealants wear out; but, they can be replaced without any destruction to the tooth.

Another important step in preventing tooth decay is regular dental exams and cleanings. Dental cleanings remove the problem plaque and calculus, hard deposits, that form on a tooth and trap bacteria that lead to decay. Also, frequent exams with necessary x-rays can discover the start of decay when it is still small and can easily be removed.

Finally, topical fluoride treatments can be applied to tooth and root surfaces. Fluoride is a mineral that gets absorbed into the tooth structure. It then makes the tooth more resistant to acids and decay.

Regular dental check-ups at Pacifico Dental Care should begin no later than 18 months of age.

If you have any questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact our office at (610) 588-2722.