Tips for Cavity Prevention

It's well-known that sugar contributes to the development of tooth decay—and that avoiding sugar helps prevent it—but many people are surprised to learn that there are many other foods and beverages that can boost oral health. While avoiding sugar, and brushing and flossing regularly are still your best bet for preventing cavities, there are other nutrition tips that may help too.

Sugar-Free Gum

Many dentists recommend sugar-free gum for cavity prevention. Chewing sugar-free gum promotes saliva secretion which helps stabilize the pH in the mouth and makes it a less hospitable environment for bacteria. Sugar-free gum with xylitol may be even more beneficial, because xylitol has its own cavity-fighting effects.

Cheese

Cheese contains a protein called casein, which researchers believe may have a protective effect on teeth. Cheese is a great source of calcium and the calcium in saliva helps to prevent cavities by re-mineralizing the enamel of teeth.

Raisins

Although raisins are high in sugar, they're also high in compounds called polyphenols and flavonoids—plant compounds that have all kinds of beneficial health effects. Some of these compounds may actually be able to the kill oral bacteria that cause cavities. When eating dried fruits such as raisins, it is best avoided in large amounts. Because of their high sugar content, it's important to brush thoroughly after eating them.

Sugar-Free Candy

Sugary sweets are definitely on the list of foods to avoid when it comes to oral health, but sugar-free candy is a different story. Like sugar-free gum, the candy can promote saliva production, and if the candy contains xylitol, it has additional cavity-fighting properties.

Sip through a Straw

Drinking beverages through a straw may help protect your teeth, not because the straws contains any bacteria-fighting substances, but because sipping through a straw prevents the beverage from coming into contact with the teeth. This is especially helpful for stain causing beverages like tea and coffee.

Dental Sealants

Less about nutrition and more about lifestyle, dental sealants are applied to the crowns of your back molars, and form a protective coating that helps prevent decay. The biting surface of these teeth is particularly vulnerable to decay because it's the roughest part of the tooth, providing grooves and pits where bacteria can easily grow.

Your dentist can apply sealants to your teeth to provide this all-important protection, helping to reduce your risk of cavities and promote oral health.

Contact Grandon Village Dental Office for more information about prevention and to schedule your next appointment.