Five alternative ways to prevent tooth decay

Five alternative ways to prevent tooth decay

Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is proven to reduce the risk of plaque bacteria building up on the enamel of your teeth and potentially causing cavities but what other simple daily measures can we take in the fight against tooth decay? The first thing is to reduce the amount of sugary foods and drinks we consume each day; the sugars and carbohydrates found in biscuits, cakes and fizzy drinks provide an energy source for the bacteria in your mouth, allowing them to multiply and produce harmful acids which, over time, soften and dissolve the enamel of your teeth.

Once the enamel on your teeth has gone it does not regenerate and that's why it is so important to do everything possible to protect it. Secondly, eat a varied diet complete with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables; snacking on raw vegetables such as carrots and celery is a great way to stimulate blood flow and therefore deliver fresh oxygen to the gums. Doing this may also remove some of the surface bacteria that builds up between brushing and deliver an undiluted supply of essential vitamins to the body. Cooked vegetables are a great source of vitamins too but boiling them can mean a loss of vitamins into the water which is then drained away, so try to steam or roast your vegetables instead if you can.

The third thing to do is avoid eating or drinking anything that contains carbohydrates just before you go to bed; when you're asleep your mouth doesn't produce as much saliva as when you're awake, meaning your mouth can become less effective at washing away harmful plaque bacteria.

When brushing your teeth, use a good toothbrush, preferably an electric one and replace the entire brush (or just the head if it's electric) at least every six months to ensure its continued effectiveness. Choose a brush with bristles that suit your teeth and gums, whether this is soft, medium or hard and if you're not sure just ask your dentist. It can also be a good idea to consult your dentist on brushing and flossing techniques to make sure you're doing the best job possible.

Chewing sugar-free gum after meals can help to reduce the build up of plaque acid by encouraging the increased production of saliva. However, chewing gum that is not sugar-free could actually feed the bacteria and could potentially have a detrimental effect.

Whilst none of these prevention techniques should ever act as a replacement for regular visits to your dentist, used in conjunction with checkups and trips to the dental hygienist, these tips for good dental health care could reduce the risk of needing fillings, root canal treatment and crowns. Most people will need treatment at some point in their lifetime and if you're worried about the costs of routine treatment, it can be worth considering the dental benefits on offer as part of a health cash plan as an alternative to a dental plan.

If you are putting off a trip to the dentist because you're worried about the potential bill for checkups and treatments, consider the various dental benefits and dental plans that are available, which can help with dental health care costs.

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