M-Th: 8:00-5:00 F: 8:00-1:00 705 742-5666 Peterborough Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

How Do I Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease?

Here at our Peterborough dental clinic, we deal with a wide range of dental problems both large and small. While some of the patients we help are victims of largely-unavoidable accidents, many of the dental issues we see are ultimately caused by tooth decay and/or gum disease. These are very much avoidable!

You are your own best defense against dental problems in the future. The more you do every day to protect your teeth, the less likely you’ll be booking extra appointments at your local Peterborough dental clinic.  (Besides your yearly checkups, of course!)  

So, we wanted to talk briefly about the most effective ways you can help protect your own teeth.  

The 4 Best Ways to Prevent Tooth Decay and Gum Disease

  1. Regular brushing, flossing, and rinsing

You’ve undoubtedly heard it many times, but it’s true: There is no better protection against diseases of the mouth than a regimen of daily brushing, flossing, and mouthwash. Preferably, this should happen at least twice per day.  Do this, and it’s virtually guaranteed your trips to the dentist will be minimized.

  1. Fluoridated products

Few medicinal additives in the world have been better-studied than fluoride. It greatly inhibits tooth decay, and helps keep the teeth strong.  

No public health initiative has done more to keep people healthy and happy than fluoridation. And if, by chance, you live in one of the few areas which don’t fluoridate their water, we highly suggest making doubly sure to use toothpastes and mouthwashes that contain it.

  1. Healthy eating

While you don’t have to abstain completely, foods with high levels of sugar (including high fructose corn syrup) or acids will contribute to the breakdown of your teeth. In particular, try to avoid over-consumption of colas as well as hard candies which are made of pure sugar. These are basically melting your teeth as they melt in your mouth.

  1. Sugar-free gum

For a change, the claims made in some gum advertisements are accurate. Chewing sugar-free gum does help protect your teeth! Besides picking up stray bits of food and bacteria, gum also helps stimulate your saliva which works as a sort of natural mouth-rinse. Many sugar-free gums even include a sweetening agent called Xylitol which is nearly as effective as fluoride at reducing cavities.

Just remember: chewing gum, alone, is not a substitute for brushing, flossing, or fluoride products. But it helps!

Contact the Dr. Christopher Moore And Associates Peterborough Dental Clinic For 50% Off Your First Exam!

If it’s been awhile since you’ve had your teeth checked, we want to make it as easy as possible. If you contact us and reference this blog, you can get 50% off your initial new patient exam! This offer expires on June 30, 2017.

Contact us today to set up an appointment.

Archives