Contrary to popular belief, it’s possible to not get cavities. Even though having a cavity filled isn’t as painful or invasive as it used to be, it’s still important to protect your teeth from damage and decay. In addition to saving the natural form of your teeth, you’ll also save some money.
Combine professional teeth cleaning with the information below to prevent cavities and avoid tooth decay.

Get Your Daily Dose of Fluoride

Fluoride is the mineral that keeps your teeth strong. Although it doesn’t play a role in determining the whiteness of your teeth, it plays a major role in preventing decay. Luckily, there are convenient ways to get the fluoride you need. Some fluoride exists in everyday toothpaste, but not always as much as you need. Here are some other sources you should consider getting additional fluoride from …
Tap Water – In our modern society, fluoride is a key mineral in the water we drink from the faucet. In addition to helping keep water clean, it also hardens our teeth. This hardening makes our teeth resistant to cavities. By drinking tap water instead of bottled water, you reduce your risk for getting cavities significantly.
Prescription Fluoride Paste – Sometimes people need more fluoride than average to keep their teeth healthy. If you have recurring problems with cavities, ask your dentist to prescribe a fluoride toothpaste. The 3M company makes a highly recommended one that gives you the extra fluoride you need.

Know the Three Steps of the Decaying Process

Before you contact a cosmetic dentistry in San Antonio, L.A., New York or wherever you live to make your teeth look good, first you must know all about the decaying process. This will help you keep your teeth beautiful and cavity-free.
Cavities don’t just come out of the blue. There’s a reason why you get them, and the reason is pretty simple. You let plaque build up, eat sugary foods, and let time go by before brushing and flossing your teeth. Knowing this process inside and out will make you more aware of when you need to brush your teeth.
Step #1 – Plaque Buildup: In order to create a base for cavities to form, plaque must be present in your mouth. Plaque is what blends with the sugars from the food you eat to create acid. This is the acid that wears away at enamel and strips your teeth of their original strength.
Step #2 – Sugar Consumption: When you ingest food, your stomach creates a byproduct that rises up and damages your teeth. This byproduct is particularly harmful after eating sugary foods. Also, if plaque is already present in the mouth, the severity of it tends to increase.
Step #3 – Time: Many dentists are taught in dental school that it takes about 20 minutes for the body to turn sugar into acid. This means that after you eat (sugary foods in particular), it’s important to brush your teeth and remove the plaque and bits of food in your mouth. This way, byproducts produced by ingestion have little effect on the health of your teeth.
By getting enough fluoride and knowing how cavities form, you’re well on your way to cavity prevention. With consistency and good practice, there’s a good chance you’ll never have a cavity ever again.