How to Prevent Cavities: 5 Steps to Avoid Them
What Is a Cavity?
A cavity is a hole in the tooth that occurs because of untreated tooth decay. Cavities are known as an early stage of progressive tooth decay.
What Causes Cavities?
Cavities are caused by our teeth being in contact with plaque acids for too long, resulting in mineral loss in the enamel.
Brushing and flossing can get rid of the plaque, but if you don’t follow proper oral hygiene, the acids erode the enamel and cause openings or gaps called cavities.
What Does a Cavity Look Like?
A cavity appears as a hole on the top or side of a tooth. If left untreated, tooth decay will go beneath a tooth’s enamel layer and affect the dentin and pulp layers.
This will lead to infections, abscesses, pain, and eventually tooth loss.
Who’s at Risk for Cavities?
People at risk for cavities are… everyone! Each individual will have their own risk factors such as oral hygiene, diet, genetics, and dental history.
For most, reducing sugars and acids on your teeth will lower the risk of future cavities.
It’s important to talk to your dental professional to assess your risk and focus on prevention. If you suffer from chronic conditions that put you at high risk, you can increase your protection by using pH elevated dental products specifically designed to neutralize decay-causing acids.
5 Steps to Avoid & Prevent Cavities
1. Brush Your Teeth Twice Daily
Brushing in the morning and the evening before bedtime reduces the number of food particles that remain inside the ridge creases on the top of your teeth, giving the bacteria less leftover food to consume.
2. Floss Daily
Floss at least once per day, preferably before bedtime. Flossing decreases the number of leftover food particles in between teeth, reducing the chance of forming interproximal caries.
3. Limit Sweet Snacks
Reduce your regular intake of sugary foods. The less sugar you give the bacteria, the less acid they produce.
4. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Visit your dentist twice annually for a thorough cleaning. Even with the best brushing and flossing habits, there can be dental areas that are hard to reach.
Regular dental visits for cleanings ensure those hard-to-reach areas are thoroughly cleaned and allow a dental professional to examine your teeth for specialized recommendations.
5. Reduce Your Regular Intake of Acidic Foods
Reduce your regular intake of acidic foods. When the bacteria on your teeth are already producing harmful acids, it’s best to avoid foods that give them any help.
WedMD provides a deeper explanation of acidic foods to help you decide which ones to avoid.
CariFree Products That Help Prevent Cavities
Focusing on pH elevated and remineralizing dental products is one of the best defenses against cavities. CariFree’s Gel 1100 combines proven anti-cavity benefits including .24% fluoride, nano-hydroxyapatite and patented pH+ technology to neutralize acids.
If you’re looking for extra protection, consider adding in our Moisturizing Oral Spray or Maintenance Rinse to provide further pH protection.
Do you currently have cavities? Our 3-month Treatment Kit contains all you need to kill germs and reset the biofilm. Don’t forget to also visit your dentist for an assessment!
Gel 1100 Anti-Cavity Toothpaste
Looking to remineralize your teeth, prevent cavities, and improve your overall oral health? Meet our Gel 1100!
This low abrasion tooth gel combines proven anti-cavity benefits including .24% fluoride, nano-hydroxyapatite and our unique, patented pH+ technology to neutralize acids.
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Moisturizing Oral Spray
Did you know dry mouth is a major risk factor for cavities? Something as simple as beginning a new medication can disrupt the balance of your mouth and cause cavities or other issues to begin.
Our oral moisturizing spray is a simple way to protect your mouth with xylitol and our patented pH+ technology to neutralize acids.
A customer favorite for on-the-go prevention after meals, especially for kids!
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Maintenance Rinse
Make sure to reach the places your toothbrush is missing! This daily rinse will help maintain your long-term oral health by providing the anti-cavity benefits of fluoride, pH neutralization and xylitol.
Our alcohol and dye-free Maintenance Rinse is the perfect choice for protecting your enamel.
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Treatment Kit
If you’re experiencing or at-risk for cavities, it’s due to an overpopulation of cavity-causing bacteria in the biofilm.
Our Treatment Rinse is specifically designed to treat and reduce those bacteria along with neutralizing the pH and promoting a healthy biofilm to further reduce your risk of new cavities.
This product is truly a game-changer for your dental health!
This 3-month kit contains Treatment Rinse for antibacterial therapy, plus our Gel 1100 for daily brushing.
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How to Prevent Cavities FAQs
How to prevent cavities from getting worse?
Proper oral hygiene is critical, but using an antibacterial rinse to reset your biofilm is your best defense.
Does fluoride help with preventing cavities?
There is abundant scientific evidence that demonstrates that fluoride strengthens the teeth, makes them less susceptible to acid attacks, and inhibits the production of acids by cavity-causing bacteria.
What if I don’t want to use fluoride?
Finding a fluoride-free toothpaste with an elevated pH and nano-hydroxyapatite is a great option.
Can you stop a cavity once it starts?
While early signs of tooth decay, such as small white spots, can be remineralized, an actual hole in the tooth must be repaired by a dentist.
Can cavities be 100% prevented?
While each individual has their own risk factors (some out of their control), for many it is possible to completely prevent cavities through things like oral hygiene and diet.
