Dental Articles - Brampton

Cavities are one of the most common health problems, but here’s the great news: they are almost always preventable! Understanding simple steps to stop cavities before they even start is key to keeping your smile healthy for years.

What is a Cavity and How Does it Form?

Think of your mouth as a battleground.

• The Problem: Tiny germs (bacteria) live in your mouth. When they eat sugar and starches from the foods and drinks you consume, they make acid.
• The Damage: This acid eats away at your tooth's hard outer layer, called enamel. Over time, this acid attack creates a hole—that hole is a cavity (or tooth decay).
• The Sticky Film: These germs create a sticky film called plaque. If you don't brush it off regularly, plaque protects the germs and makes the acid attack worse.

Your Cavity-Fighting Toolkit: Simple Daily Habits

These simple actions are the most effective way to protect your teeth.

1. Brush the Right Way, Every Day

• Do it: Brush your teeth at least twice a day (morning and night).
• Time it: Spend a full two minutes each time. This makes sure you clean every surface.
• Use: A soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Fluoride is a mineral that helps strengthen your enamel against acid.

2. Floss is Not Optional

• Why? Your toothbrush cannot reach the tight spaces between your teeth or right along the gum line.
• Do it: Floss once a day. This removes trapped food and plaque from those tricky spots where cavities love to hide.

3. Watch What You Eat and Drink

• Limit: Sugary and acidic drinks and snacks (like pop, juice, candy, chips, and cookies). The more sugar you eat, the more acid the germs make!
• The 20-Minute Rule: Every time you have sugar, the acid attacks your teeth for about 20 minutes. Constant snacking means constant acid attacks.
• Tip: If you have a sweet treat, try to rinse your mouth with water right afterward, or brush your teeth if you can.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

• Wash Away: Water washes away food bits and helps rinse the germs off your teeth.
• Saliva Helper: Water helps your mouth make more saliva. Saliva is your mouth's natural defense—it neutralizes acid and helps repair early tooth damage!

Get Professional Help at Braydon Dental Care

Even with perfect brushing, you need professional care to catch and prevent problems.

• Regular Checkups: Visit Braydon Dental Care in Brampton for checkups and professional cleanings, usually every six months.
• Cleaning Power: We remove tartar (hardened plaque) that you can't get off with your toothbrush alone.
• Early Detection: We can spot the very first signs of decay and treat them before they turn into a full cavity.

Extra Protection We Offer

• Fluoride Treatments: A quick, painless treatment that gives your teeth a concentrated dose of fluoride to make your enamel extra strong. Great for kids and adults at higher risk.
• Dental Sealants: We can paint a thin, clear coating onto the chewing surfaces of your back teeth (molars). These sealants fill in the deep grooves where food and germs easily get trapped, making the surface smooth and easy to clean.

Commit to a Healthier Smile

Preventing cavities is a team effort! By making these simple, consistent habits part of your daily routine—combined with regular visits to Braydon Dental Care in Brampton—you are investing in a healthy, beautiful smile for life.

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Dentist Brampton