Many of us would openly, and in most cases, proudly admit to having a regular skin care regime. Many of us have regular appointments at the hairdresser and more and more book time at the local gymnasium. However how many of us can declare that we have a regular tooth care regime beside a quick brush of the teeth a few times a day? Sadly there are far too many people who neglect their teeth and suffer from tooth decay than is really necessary.
No matter how much our parents fuss around and dedicate their lives to teaching us how to lead a good life it is really up to us, at the end of the day, how we lead our lives when we leave home. Even if we have been taught the correct way to look after our teeth it is often the first thing to be neglected when we leave home. Sadly dental hygiene is not amongst the most important things in a young persons life and tooth decay can take time to develop but when it appears it is often too late.
So what causes it? Well simply put by not cleaning our teeth we leave small amounts of food in our mouths upon which bacteria feed. This leads to the production of around five hundred different products including harmful acid. The acid eats away at our teeth causing cavities which eventually collapse leaving a hole in the tooth.
The name given to the nasty bacteria that is the cause of tooth decay is Streptococcus mutans. This bacteria is so destructive that it can cause damage to the tooth enamel that causes it to collapse in as short a period as 6 months. Sometimes it takes longer, maybe a few years, or, if you are lucky it can take as long as 8 years.
One of the areas of the mouth which is most susceptible to decay is the tiny gap between each tooth. This is where dentists most often find cavities but they can be avoided. Rather than brushing your teeth with a toothbrush it is very important that you floss your teeth at the same time as this is really the only effective way in which to clean this area.
Mouthwash can play a very important role in protecting your teeth from tooth decay. Used regularly it can dramatically reduce the level of bacterial action in the mouth. With less bacteria there is far less active, and, in turn, there is less damage to the teeth. Of course it also makes your breath smell fresh too.
There are a number of ways in which you can stop tooth decay. The best way to do it is to follow good dental hygiene and avoid those things that are known to cause damage in the teeth. Here are the four most common causes; 1. Failure to brush and floss the teeth often enough. 2. Including too much sugar in the diet. Check the amount of sugar in all processed foods. 3. Lack of fluoride. This is relatively rare as many authorities now add fluoride to drinking water and nearly all dental products include fluoride. 4. Tobacco. Smoking, or chewing, tobacco is known to cause cavities.
Just by following the tips and advice above you should be able to ensure a reduced risk of cavity formation. However it is hoped that you will investigate this subject a little further so that you can develop a good tooth care regime and have healthy strong teeth. Cavities in teeth can be very painful but, by looking after your teeth correctly, this misery can be avoided.