Expert Dental Tips To Prevent Cavities & Gum Disease

How To Avoid Cavities

Brushing Techniques and Recommended Toothpaste

To properly brush your teeth, you’ll want to brush twice a day using a soft bristled toothbrush or an electric toothbrush. Brush in small circles and focus on the gumline, not just the teeth. Don’t forget to brush the inside of your teeth as well. 

You should brush for about two minutes each time, and you should replace your toothbrush every three months or so, or if it shows signs of wear. 

When choosing toothpaste, you should choose a fluorinated brand. Fluoride is a chemical that helps protect the enamel on your teeth. You should always use a brand that is recommended by the American Dental Association.  

Importance of Flossing and Correct Methods

Want to know how to reverse early gum disease? Flossing is your best friend. 

Flossing is essential to oral health. No day is complete without flossing, and it is part of deep cleaning for gum disease prevention. Regularly flossing your teeth can both prevent and reverse mild and early stage gum disease. 

Flossing helps remove plaque, food, and bacteria from between your teeth where a toothbrush can’t reach. It will also reduce your risk for cavities, helps reduce bad breath, and most importantly, fights gum disease. 

Floss once a day using a gentle up and down technique, and consider floss picks for ease of use. 

The Role of Fluoride in Cavity Prevention

Fluoride is a chemical that helps protect and rebuild your tooth enamel. A tiny bit is generally included in the municipal water supply of most places in the United States. Additionally, almost all ADA (American Dental Association) approved toothpastes include fluoride. 

Fluoride primarily does two things to strengthen your teeth. First, it inhibits the growth of the bacteria in your mouth that causes cavities. Second, it strengthens the enamel on your teeth that those bacteria attack. In this way, fluoride can even repair early stages of cavities. 

Professional Dental Cleanings and Checkups

An often overlooked technique for how to avoid cavities is by getting regular dental cleanings and checkups. For most people, you should visit your dentist every six months, unless directed otherwise by a dentist. 

Professional dental cleanings clean your teeth in ways that are difficult to do at home, and can focus on problem areas that can be hard to reach. 

Dental checkups, generally performed at the same time as cleanings, can help identify problems before they start, such as the beginnings of cavities, or areas that need to be focused on more when brushing.

Already have an appointment you need to change? Reschedule at your convenience.

Best Ways To Prevent Gum Disease

Signs and Symptoms of Gum Disease

Early stage gum disease has a number of signs:

• Bleeding gums
• Red and swollen gums
• Gum recession (gums pulling away from your teeth) 
• Bad breath
• Gums that hurt or are sore

This kind of gum disease can often be managed, or even reversed, with proper home care, but you should always check in with a dentist if you have any of the signs above. 

Symptoms of advanced gum disease (also called periodontal disease) include: 

• Loose teeth
• Pain while eating or chewing
• Advanced gum recession
• Pus between gums and teeth

If you have any of these symptoms, see a dentist as soon as possible.  

Proper Gum Care 

Proper gum care is the same as proper care of your teeth. This includes: 

• Brushing twice per day 
• Flossing once every day
• Avoiding sugary foods and eating foods high in nutrients, especially vitamin C
• Going to dental checkups every six months or as directed by your dentist

Benefits of Using Antibacterial Mouthwash

Antibacterial mouthwash can be an important part of overall oral health. It should be noted though, mouthwash should never take the place of any of the techniques mentioned above. 

Mouthwash is particularly helpful in preventing plaque and gum disease. It can also aid in keeping bad breath away, reduces the risk of infection, and can help with tooth sensitivity. Mouthwashes containing fluoride can also help protect your tooth enamel.   

How Diet Affects Gum Health

As with your teeth, the foods you eat can affect your gum health as well. Try to eat foods that are low in sugar and high in vitamin C.

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes for Better Oral Health

Foods That Promote Strong Teeth and Healthy Gums

The single best dietary change most people can make to promote strong teeth and healthy gums is to quit drinking sugary drinks and switching to water. After this, try to avoid sugar-packed and processed foods.

Some other foods that can proactively help strengthen teeth and gums include: 

• Nuts
• Vegetables, especially crunchy varieties, like celery and carrots
• Seeds
• Dairy foods, such as cheese and yogurt that are high in calcium
• Alternatives to dairy that are fortified with vitamin C, such as almond milk
• Other foods high in calcium, like spinach, broccoli, and kale
• Foods rich in vitamin C, like citrus fruits, tomatoes, broccoli, and berries

Hydration and Its Impact on Oral Health

Staying hydrated is one of the best things you can do for your body. Choosing water over sugary drinks is one of the single best things you can do to improve your health. Drinking lots of water is also a great way to promote healthy gums and teeth, and prevent cavities and gum disease. 

The amount of water people should drink is unique to everyone, but in general, men should drink just under four liters of water per day, and women just under three liters. Approximately eight glasses per day should be sufficient.  

Habits To Avoid for Healthy Gums and Teeth

While proper care of your gums and teeth is important to your overall oral health, avoiding some bad habits can be as equally as important. Some things to avoid include: 

• Smoking
• Chewing tobacco
• Vaping
• Eating sugary foods
• Drinking sugary drinks
• Skipping brushing and flossing (even one day) 
• Not seeing a dentist regularly, even if you brush and floss every day
• Not staying hydrated

Professional Treatments for Gum Disease and Cavity Prevention

Fluoride Treatments and Dental Sealants

To help protect your teeth and gums, your dentist can apply a number of fluoride treatments and dental sealants to your teeth while in for a checkup or cleaning. These treatments can help promote the health of your teeth enamel and reduce the plaque that causes cavities. 

These treatments often come in the form of a varnish that is rubbed on your teeth, or as a foam, or a gel. They provide long-lasting protection and are generally fast and painless. 

These kinds of treatments are especially important for those who are at high risk for things like gum disease, or do not have fluoride added to their water.  

Deep Cleanings and Scaling Procedures

Deep cleaning, also known as scaling, removes plaque from the teeth. It is often beneficial in helping to reverse early gum disease. Deep cleaning for gum disease prevention is also a good idea for those who are at risk. 

It can be accomplished with the normal, silver dental tools you’ve likely seen before at appointments, or with new tools, like ultrasound scalers. Local anesthesia can be used to make the procedure more comfortable. 

When To Seek Professional Dental Care

By taking care of problems early, you can often avoid greater complications later on. You should see your dentist for a checkup and cleaning every six months, as directed by your provider, or if there is an emergency. 

Emergencies and signs you should see your dentist can include: 

• Persistent tooth, mouth, or jaw pain
• Loose teeth
• Broken teeth
• Swollen or bleeding gums
• Infection around the gums
• Discolored gums
• Persistent bad breath
• Mouth sores that do not heal 
• Extreme sensitivity to temperature 

Finding the Best Dentist Near You

Looking for a dentist doesn’t need to be difficult. We offer a wide variety of services and locations to serve you, and our team is exceptionally qualified. At Absolute Dental, we prioritize a gentle approach to dentistry, so you never need to be worried.  

In addition to being top quality, we accept many major insurance providers, and have financing options available. For those without dental insurance, we offer our excellent and reliable Smile Saver Program. 

Give us a call today for a happy, healthy smile.

Find a location near you.

Neighborhoods We Serve in Las Vegas 

At Absolute Dental, we’re proud to provide comprehensive dental care to families across Las Vegas. Whether you’re in need of teeth cleaning, cosmetic dentistry, braces, or pediatric dental care, we’ve got you covered. From general care to emergency dental services, we’re here to help you and your loved ones maintain healthy, beautiful smiles, with convenient locations in your neighborhood. 

Our Neighborhood Locations: