How to prevent cavities: methods and risk factors

The cavities, also known as dental caries, are structural damage to the teeth caused by tooth wear. They arise when the plate – a sticky substance of bacteria -wrinkles, turning into tartar.

This hurts and destroys the tooth enamel (the hard external case of the teeth). The cavities can cause pain, teeth sensitivity and other symptoms and are the main cause of tooth loss.

Plaque accumulation and tartar is mainly caused by poor oral hygiene. Prevention of cavities involves the development of habits that keep teeth and mouth cleaner and reduce the chances of developing tartar.

The key to preventing cavities is taking measures to promote good oral hygiene and health. In addition to changing lifestyle habits, continuous dental cleaning practices and regular tests are important. Dental processes for tooth protection can also help.

Regular dental visits

Regular dental controls and cleaning are cornerstone of cavity prevention. The only way to remove the plate and tartar accumulation is professional cleaning. Dentists can also consider other risk factors, such as gum disease. As with other health issues, the sooner your dentist detects tooth wear or cavities, the better the result.

You should have dental cleaning at least twice a year. In these appointments, the dentist performs escalation (using tools to scrape the plate and tartar), takes X -rays and performs a physical assessment to seek oral issues that can lead to cavities.

Lifestyle habits

Along with regular dental care, healthy oral hygiene practices and lifestyle habits play a central role in the prevention of cavities. These include:

• Brush your teeth well at least twice a day, targeting for at least two minutes in total: 30 seconds each for the interior down, out of the bottom, inside the upper and inside of the lower teeth
• Thread at least once a day
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Stay hydrated and reinforce your fluid intake to reduce dry mouth
• Avoid sugar, starchy foods such as hard candies, other types of candies, cookies and sods
• Limit the snack between meals, including foods stuck to teeth, such as popcorn
• Limit fruit juice, which is particularly important for infants or infants
• Stop or avoid smoking
• Change toothbrush or toothbrush heads every three months

Supplementary methods

In addition to other methods of prevention of the cavity, oil attraction can help support dental health. This includes coconut, sesame or sunflower oil (about a tablespoon for adults) for 15-20 minutes and then spits everything out.

Many people argue that oil pulls fights from gum disease and tartar, but the elements for this method are mixed. However, a review found oil daily by pulling reduced levels of bacteria in saliva. The effects on gum health and the accumulation of the plate were unclear.

Dental procedures

If the cavities are serious or maintaining oral hygiene is difficult, dental sealants are another option for prevention, especially in children and adolescents. Dentists apply a special plastic coating on tooth chewing surfaces – typical molars and rear teeth.

When applied to new entrance teeth (which are about 6 and 12 years of age), sealing can prevent up to 80% of the cavities for two years. Children 6-11 years old without sealants are almost three times more likely to develop dental caries.

All people can develop cavities and are very common. Researchers estimate that almost all adults develop at least one in their lives. This is said, some populations are at increased risk:

• Smaller children: Because their teeth are still formed, younger children are at increased risk for cavities. Some have a weaker enamel, making them more sensitive. This population can also eat high -food diets and enamel drinks and may not be able to take care of their teeth very well.
• Older adults: Researchers estimate that about 96.4% of adults aged 65-74 had tooth decay, cavities, tooth loss and other cavity-related issues. This increased risk is mainly due to gum recession – a natural consequence of aging and dry mouth (dry mouth). The dry mouth increases with age and can be a side effect of certain drugs. Without enough saliva in the mouth, the teeth are more vulnerable to the bacteria and tooth wear.
• People with lower socio -economic status: A large study found that people with lower incomes and levels of education were more likely to develop cavities. This effect was more intense in developed high -income countries. People with a lower socio -economic state tend to have less access to the necessary dental products and dental cleaning, increasing their risk. This population also has a higher risk of harmful behaviors for teeth, such as smoking or alcohol use.
• People with disabilities: Physical or mental disability can increase the risk of cavity. Physical disabilities or conditions such as arthritis (joint pain) can make brushing and thread difficult and painful, leading to poorer dental health. This is also true of neurological diseases such as cerebral palsy or conditions that affect cognitive (thought, reasoning and planning), such as dementia. The latter are also less likely to look for regular dental care.

Factors that increase the risk of cavities may be in or out of control. In addition to your age, health and financial condition, your diet, habits and body weight can affect your risk.

• Some Nutrition Standards: Simple carbohydrates, such as those with starch or sugar -rich foods and drinks, supply the bacteria that form plaque in your mouth. Often consuming sodes, juices, cookies, cakes, caramel, gum or other sugary foods increases the risk of cavity growth. This is especially true if you do not have enough fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your diet.
• Is not enough fluoride: Fluoride is a mineral that supports the health of the tooth enamel, making it more powerful and more resistant to plate. Located in many toothpastes, and most water systems in the United States also add to drinking water. People who do not use fluoride toothpaste or live in places with unprocessed water have an increased risk of cavities.
• Smoking state: Another habit that significantly increases the risk of cavities is smoking. Among other effects on health, tobacco tobacco causes a dry mouth, which allows the bacteria to develop and cause damage. Smoking can also affect the necessary immune function in the mouth, allowing the plate to harden in tooth and cause tooth decay.
• Too much or not enough weight: Research has found that the weight condition can affect dental health. People who are overweight or are obese – defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30 – have an increased risk for cavities. Researchers examining teeth wear to children by the age of 18 have also been found to be degraded, can increase your risk.

Genetics plays an important role in dental health. If you have a family history of cavities and tooth loss, your risk is higher. In one study, monozygotic (identical) twins – with the same genes – had very similar cavities. There have been some differences between the twins (brotherly) twins-sharing some, but not all DNAs-and even more between brothers who are not twins.

Researchers have identified this connection with mutations in three sets of genes transferred by parents. A set causes lower saliva production, increasing the sensitivity to gum disease, tartar and cavities. Mutations in another group of genes cause a weaker tooth enamel, increasing the risk of decomposition. Another set of genes may affect the activity of the immune system in the mouth.

If you have or you think you have a cavity, it is important to know when to call your dentist. Signs you need dental help include:

• Pain during consumption, pressure application, brushing, thread or without recognizable cause
• Sensitivity to your teeth in hot, cold or wind
• Red, swollen or bleeding
• Chronic breath
• Loose or drifting teeth or changes in your bite
• Blood in the gums after brushing

When you see your dentist for a cavity or oral symptoms, it is important to discuss preventive care. If you have been diagnosed with gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) or periodontitis (gum disease and infection) – risk factors for cavities – you may need a special treatment called root escalation, as well as more frequent tests and cleaning.

In addition to treating any cavities, dentists and oral hygiene can deeply clean your teeth and remove the plate and tartar. These treatments also treat gum disease by protecting teeth from tooth wear.

The cavities are holes in the teeth caused by tooth wear. Consuming a high sugars and star diet, smoking and larger or younger are among the risk factors for this situation.

The prevention of the cavity mainly involves maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and thread twice a day. Avoiding management risk factors, such as smoking and sweet foods or drinks, can also help.

It is also crucial to have regular dental checks and cleaning.