We at Health Centered Dentistry know that everyone in city wants to have healthy teeth and beautiful smiles. Brushing and flossing regularly are your first line of defense against dental caries, or tooth decay, but Dr. Bell wants you to know that there are a number of other products that can help you maintain excellent dental health. Here a few extra things you can do to prevent dental caries and keep your pearly whites in top shape. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to call Health Centered Dentistry today.
Dental Caries Prevention
Dental caries is the scientific term for tooth decay, the process that causes cavities. Dental caries is one of the most prevalent infectious (it can be passed through saliva) diseases in the world. Most people will have at least one cavity in their life, but Midland, TX residents can protect themselves against caries with good dental hygiene, routine visits to Dr. Bell for checkups and cleanings, and some of the products below:
Xylitol
Xylitol is a natural sugar-substitute that is available in a number of forms, including chewing gums, lozenges, and mouthwashes. Unlike regular sugar, xylitol cannot be metabolized by decay-causing bacteria. It also inhibits bacteria’s ability to stick to teeth and helps teeth recover from bacterial acid attacks. According to the American Dental Association’s Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry, xylitol is the most effective caries-prevention sugar substitute. Studies have shown that chewing xylitol-based gum has a significant effect on preventing tooth decay. For best results, we at Health Centered Dentistry recommend gums that have xylitol listed as the first or second ingredient.
CariFree® Products
The CariFree® line of caries prevention products use a combination of fluoride, xylitol, pH neutralization agents, and proprietary compounds to help Midland, TX teeth beat tooth decay. CariFree® offers gums, mouthrinses, gels, and sprays available for over-the-counter purchase and a number of in-office treatments. Dr. Bell recommends CariFree® products for patients who have trouble keeping their cavities in check or may be prone to tooth decay.
Caries Prevention Awareness
Every time you eat carbohydrates, the bacteria in your mouth begin breaking them down into acid that eats away at your teeth. Plaque can form in as little as 20 minutes after eating, and may last until the next time you brush your teeth. If you sip sugary drinks (including juice, smoothies, and sports drinks) throughout the day, your mouth is constantly fighting off tooth decay. Knowing that is half the battle. The other half is brushing and flossing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, investing in good caries prevention products, and visiting Dr. Bell twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings. We at Health Centered Dentistry want everyone in Midland, TX to be free of dental caries, so schedule your next cleaning today.
Sources
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15383236
http://www.aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/G_XylitolUse.pdf