Tips to Stop Cavity Development

tips to prevent cavity developmentSugar, starches, and other fermentable carbohydrates feed certain bacteria that dwell in your mouth; namely, Streptococcus mutans. As they feed, S. mutans convert sugar into acids that attack tooth enamel while depleting your teeth of enamel-building minerals. Weak enamel is easier for bacteria to bypass, and therefore increases your risks of cavity development. Cosmetic dentistry can improve your tooth enamel’s appearance if it stains, but if acid erosion outpaces your teeth’s ability to recover, then enamel will become irreversibly damaged and cavity-causing bacteria can slip right past it.

How to Prevent Cavity Development

  • Sodas, fruit juices, and energy drinks contain dangerous amounts of acid and sugar, and if you consume them regularly, they can hasten cavity development. Instead, drink water, which naturally neutralizes acid and rinses away harmful bacteria, and milk, which contains an ample supply of enamel-strengthening calcium and phosphate.