This article focuses on how to avoid dental cavities, explaining how cavities are formed as well as the various aspects of the cleaning routine that will help you maintain good oral health.

1. Eliminate Cavities with the Help of the Dentist in Silver Spring
This article focuses on the how to avoid dental cavities, explaining how cavities are
formed as well as the various aspects of the cleaning routine that will help you maintain
good oral health.
You often hear of all the brilliant and innovative procedures available for the rehabilitation of your oral
health. Dental implants, veneers, Snap-On-Teeth and root canals are all fantastic solutions for missing
or damaged teeth, but it is also true that prevention is the best cure. Keep reading to hear from an
experienced dentist in Silver Spring about the main causes of tooth decay and how best to prevent it.
Tooth Decay... How It All Begins
Tooth decay is caused by a combination of two things: food and bacteria. “Our mouths are teeming with
hundreds of different kinds of bacteria, which multiply and proliferate every time we eat or drink
something sugary,” explains the dentist in Silver Spring “The bacteria feed on the sugars found in
Spring.
the food you eat, producing acidic wastes as a by-product. This has a harmful effect on the health of
your teeth, breaking down the enamel and leaving it softer and more vulnerable to erosion and cavity
formation.”
Over time, the continual acid attack on tooth enamel ultimately leads to the formation of cavities,
compromising the dental health of Silver Spring residents. It is for this reason that having a good oral
hygiene routine - to eliminate acid-producing bacteria - is so important.
How to Prevent Cavities
“It is true that some people are more prone to dental caries than others,
due to genetic heritage and their predisposition to infection and
inflammation,” says the dentist in Silver Spring. “But it is also true that
most people can avoid dental cavities through a strict and thorough
cleaning routine. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is very
important in maintaining good oral health. This not only helps to eliminate
bacteria and food debris from your teeth, tongue and gums, but is also
neutralizes acids.”

2. So if I Brush, I Won’t Get Cavities?
Won’
Unfortunately, brushing and flossing alone are not always enough to totally keep the cavities at bay.
When you’re eating, the act of chewing can cause food to be forced inside the pits and fissures in the
biting surfaces of your teeth and these are spaces that toothbrushes, floss or even saliva are unable to
reach and keep clean.
For this, a dentist in Silver Springs offers an interesting tip, saying that chewing on fiber, such as a
celery stick, allows saliva to get to the areas where food has been trapped, and dilutes the sugars that
cause the cavity forming acids. Also, if you have particularly deep cusps in your molars, you might want
to consider having them sealed to prevent decay.
Not Everything is Do-It-Yourself
No matter how good your cleaning routine is, or how many sticks of celery you eat, good oral care also
requires the help of professionals. It is generally recommended that you have your teeth professionally
cleaned by an oral hygienist at least once every six months, although this varies from patient to patient.
Depending on the state of the dental health of Silver Spring residents, the dentist might
recommend more regular visits. But, one thing is for certain: receiving help from the professionals
definitely decreases the likelihood of cavities, tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss!
Rinse and Repeat
When it comes to the health of your teeth and gums, consistent and frequent attention will help you
keep them for a lifetime. It is a misconception that everyone eventually loses their teeth, regardless of
how you care for them. According to the dentist in Silver Spring, good oral hygiene is fundamental in
the fight against bacteria that cause cavities and decay. Brush, floss and go for check-ups once or twice a
year, and your teeth should keep you company for life!