Key ways to prevent decay from our dentist Sheffield

Most people know what tooth decay looks like.

Small brown marks and holes on the teeth that if left untreated can develop into larger holes that can crack a tooth and cause intense discomfort.

While decay is not the leading cause of tooth loss in adults, there is a lot to be said about preventing it as much as you can. That way, you can avoid invasive treatments, expensive dental visits and of course, discomfort!

At Dee Kay Dental, we are big on prevention, and our dentist Sheffield will always aim to save teeth that have succumbed to decay with sealants, fillings, crowns or root canals. We pride ourselves on our preventive care too and are always happy to discuss dental hygiene at length with our patients, to help you keep your mouth healthy.

So, what does our dentist Sheffield recommend to prevent decay? Read on to find out.

Brush twice a day

First things first, dental hygiene is at the core of prevention when it comes to caries, decay and gum disease.

Our dentist Sheffield always advises our patients to brush their teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush to prevent decay. If you don’t know how to floss correctly, we can show you how to help clean that 40% of the tooth surface between your teeth.

Always aim to brush for around 3 minutes, and use circular motions when doing so.

Avoid carbohydrates

Most people think you need to avoid sugar to prevent decay, but actually, carbohydrates are the biggest culprit when it comes to decay- it just happens to be that carbohydrates and sugar are pretty much the same things!

Carbohydrates like bread, potatoes and pasta also tend to be squishy in their texture, meaning they are more likely to become trapped in hidden parts of your mouth, which can cause cavities. So, try to keep your intake of them down.

Tailor your toothpaste and routine

It is a fact that like most things, your enamel strength can be influenced by genetics. So, you may brush your teeth to excess each day and still get cavities.

Therefore, it is worth tailoring your toothpaste to be higher in fluoride if this is the case. Our team can help with this and even prescribe toothpaste for you. You may also need to alter your cleaning routine, so your teeth may need a quick brush after every meal. Once again, our team can help you to narrow this down to prevent decay and gum disease.

Attend check-ups

You need to see our team a minimum of twice a year for a check-up if you want to actively prevent decay.

We can stop decay before it develops into a cavity by applying a fluoride sealant to the area where the enamel has weakened; this will remineralise it, and allow the fluoride to rebuild.

Try to stay healthy!

Sometimes, our patients will become unwell due to physical or mental health issues. Both can have a dramatic impact on your teeth and gums because you may be unable to clean them.

So, try to stay as healthy as you can to keep on top of your dental hygiene.