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ABOUT US | MEET DR. CHRIS NEILSON | OFFICE & STAFF | OUR SERVICES | SMILE GALLERY | MAKE AN APPT | MAP/CONTACT |
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ABOUT US
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Ask the Dentist  Preventing Cavities To prevent your teeth from decaying, you can do two things — reduce the amount of bacteria in your mouth, and strengthen you teeth's defenses. Although you can never totally get rid of bacteria in your mouth, you can reduce it greatly by brushing regularly and flossing daily, seeing your dentist and dental hygienist twice a year for a thorough cleaning and check-up, and by reducing the number of times each day that you eat fermentable carbohydrates or drink sugary drinks. Some prescription mouthwashes can help prevent decay by reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth. Chewing sugarless gums, especially those with xylitol, can help prevent decay by increasing the flow of saliva, which has antibacterial properties. Fluoride is the best resource available for protecting teeth from decay and healing early acid damage. Fluoride strengthens teeth by penetrating the tooth structure and replacing lost minerals to repair acid damage. Sealants, which provide a protective coating over the tops of vulnerable molars and premolars, block bacteria and acids from sticking in the tiny grooves on the chewing surfaces of these teeth. And general good nutrition will keep the quality of saliva high enough to protect against acid and provide minerals for re-mineralization.
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