Tooth decay is preventable. But what are the best ways to prevent tooth decay? Fluoride, sealants and healthy snacks. Fluoride works in several ways. It reduces the ability of bacteria in the mouth to make the acids that harm teeth.

It also helps bring minerals back into the tooth structure that acids have started to attack, and can even result in the tooth structure stronger becoming more resilient than before the acid attack. Small, frequent exposure to fluoride is most effective such as drinking water with fluoride and using toothpaste with fluoride. Dentists can also help prevent tooth decay with sealants. Sealants are a plastic barrier that prevents bacteria from getting into the pits and grooves on teeth.

Chewing sugar free gum, such as Orbit, for 20 minutes after meals and snacks has been shown to significantly reverse the early signs of tooth decay. Stimulated saliva contains a higher concentration, than un-stimulated saliva, of the same types of calcium, phosphate and hydroxyl ions that occur naturally in the teeth. Consequently, stimulated saliva is a more effective medium for rematerializing enamel crystals damaged by initial attack. After meals and snacks, bacteria in plaque produce acids, which cause the pH in the mouth to fall. If the pH falls below the critical level of the tooth enamel starts to dematerialize or dissolve and small white lesions may appear.

Stimulation of saliva flow results in an increase in the washing of acids and also an increase in the amount and concentration of rematerializing ions. It is these ions that help to repair these early signs of tooth decay. Demineralization of enamel lesions can occur with or without chewing sugar free gum. Children and adults who are at low risk of dental decay can stay cavity-free through frequent exposure to small amounts of fluoride. Drinking fluoridated water and using fluoride toothpaste twice daily best gain this.

Children and adults at high risk of dental decay may benefit from using additional fluoride products; including dietary supplements mouth rinses, and professionally applied gels. Fluoride works by stopping or even reversing the tooth decay process. It keeps the tooth enamel strong and solid by preventing the loss of important minerals from the tooth enamel. A common source of extra fluoride is unsupervised use of toothpaste in very young children. Fluoride also benefits adults, decreasing the risk of cavities at the root surface as well as the enamel crown. Use of fluoridated water and fluoride dental products will help people maintain oral health and keep more permanent teeth.

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