Picture courtesy of Pinterest.
Today we have a guest post article contributed by Laura, on behalf
of GlebeDental Group Wrinkle Treatment & cosmetic dental specialists.
Natural Ways to Prevent Cavities
No-one enjoys a trip
to the dentist, and the experience is even worse when you have a cavity that
needs filling. Having a tooth filled is painful and can leave a big hole in
your pocket. Fortunately, there are some natural ways to prevent cavities. By
following a few simple steps at home, you could save yourself both money and
time spent in the dentist’s chair.
The most effective way
to prevent cavities naturally is to avoid acidic and sugary foods as much as
possible. Cavities are caused by tooth decay, which occurs when acid wears away
the tooth’s hard enamel coating and begins to attack the tooth beneath. Acid in
the mouth can come either from acidic foods and drinks or from bacteria, which
feast on sugars and carbohydrates to produce plaque, an acidic film that sticks
to the teeth and gradually erodes their protective enamel.
Cutting out soda is
one of the best natural ways to prevent cavities. Soda is both highly acidic
and high in sugar, which means that it is incredibly harmful for the teeth.
Replace soda with sugar-free drinks such as herbal tea to keep the teeth
healthy. Making the switch to herbal tea could also save you money, as a single
box of teabags or loose-leaf tea lasts for several weeks.
If you do eat acidic or
sugary foods, you can protect your teeth from potential damage by taking steps
to neutralize the acid in your mouth. You can make a natural, cheap, and
effective mouthwash by mixing baking soda and water. The baking soda reacts
with the acid in the mouth, neutralizing it and rendering it harmless. Rinse
your mouth with this natural mouthwash for at least 30 seconds after eating or
drinking to prevent cavities from forming.
If you get hungry
between meals, snack on low-acid or acid-reducing foods to protect your teeth.
Bananas are very low in acid, which makes them a great tooth-friendly snack for
times when you are on the go. Biting down on some raw vegetables is also a good
option because these crunchy foods stimulate saliva production, and saliva is a
natural anti-acid. It is also vital that you drink plenty of water or herbal
tea to stay well hydrated, as dehydration leads to a dry mouth where bacteria
can thrive.
Teeth are mostly made
of calcium, which comes from the food we eat. It is vital to make sure that you
are eating enough calcium if you want your teeth to stay strong, healthy, and
cavity-free. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt are all good sources
of calcium, but you can also get calcium by eating almonds, sesame seeds and
spinach.
Finally, there are
natural ways to kill bacteria in the mouth before they can cause tooth decay.
Licorice has a natural anti-bacterial effect, which makes it a great snack for
preventing cavities.
By making these few
small changes to your lifestyle, you can help to naturally prevent tooth decay
and cut down on the number of expensive visits you have to make to the dentist.
It’s true what they say: prevention is better than cure, particularly when it
comes to looking after your teeth.
