6 Ways to Prevent the Need for Dental Fillings

Dental fillings are an effective way of treating cavities both large and small. But eventually, you need to replace fillings. And each time you replace a filling, you lose a little more tooth structure to make room for the new dental filling. Eventually, even a filling won't be enough to protect a tooth.

You should do all you can to avoid dental fillings. Fortunately, if you take the following steps, you can reduce the need for dental fillings in future.

1. Floss Your Teeth

One of the primary causes of cavities is plaque. Plaque contains bacteria and food particles, and this sticky substance is acidic. This means that if you leave it on your teeth for too long, plaque will begin to eat away at your enamel. One area where plaque builds up is between teeth. To remove this plaque and prevent cavities, floss between your teeth at every oral hygiene session.

2. Brush Your Teeth Gently

If you brush your teeth with too much force, you will eventually begin to wear away the enamel of your teeth. The same is true if you use a toothbrush with hard bristles. Teeth with only a thin layer of enamel are susceptible to tooth decay. This then leads to the need for fillings. Brush your teeth gently. You can soften the bristles of your toothbrush with water before you brush your teeth.

3. Drink Plenty of Water

Water is essential to saliva production. Saliva neutralizes acids that might damage your teeth and kills off acid-producing bacteria. The healthier your saliva production is, the lower your risk for cavities will be. Drink lots of water to ensure you have a healthy supply of saliva.

4. Rinse Your Mouth After Meals

Tooth decay doesn't happen without food debris and oral bacteria. Oral bacteria digest the food debris on your teeth and then produce acids that damage your enamel. Later, you need dental fillings to repair this damage. Rinse your mouth out with water after meals to wash away both food debris and oral bacteria from your teeth.

5. Visit a Dental Hygienist Every Six Months

A dental hygienist can spot buildups of tartar on your teeth and remove this buildup before they damage your teeth. Tartar is acidic, which is why you need to remove it quickly. Only a dental hygienist can remove tartar safely and effectively.

6. Visit Your Dentist Every Six Months

A dentist can spot potential problems before and as they occur. Many of these problems, such as tooth decay, need fillings to restore the affected teeth. A  visit to your dentist every six months can spot and prevent problems that might lead to the need for dental fillings. Often this appointment will happen after you see the hygienist. 

If you have several dental fillings and wish to prevent the need for more, make sure you follow the aforementioned advice. Reach out to a general dentistry professional for more information.

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