Contact us at 212-687-3808 to schedule an appointment in our office.
We are passionate about preventing cavities and gum disease.
Ensuring that patients are informed and empowered with up-to-date and evidence-based information is key to prevention and better outcomes.
We believe that, with this knowledge, patients can take charge of their oral health and prevent oral disease.
Patients should have the confidence that their oral hygiene is SO GOOD that there is NO WAY they would ever get a cavity or gum disease.
Best Practices to Prevent Cavities, Gum Disease, and Enamel Erosion
High Quality Brushing:
- Twice per day in morning and before bed. Depending on your risk for gum disease or cavities, it may be advantageous to brush 3x per day.
- Brush all hard-to-reach teeth. Bacteria love to take advantage of 2nd and 3rd molars.
- Use soft toothbrush with gentle sweeping motion on the facial surfaces to avoid wearing enamel and recession. Or use an electric toothbrush.
Interproximal Brushes (i.e Gumbrand’s Softpicks):
- Interproximal Brushes clean the side surfaces in between the teeth, which brushing cannot reach. Brushing only cleans 50-60% of tooth’s surface.
- Most gum disease and cavities occur on these side surfaces primarily because food gets stuck here and people are not able to clean effectively.
- Use IPBs 6-8x per space with long and broad strokes.
- Use after each meal, so bacteria are 100% deprived of food/energy.
- Healthy gums do not bleed when using IPBs. Gums only bleed in presence of excess bacteria.
Avoid excessive sugar consumption:
- The bacteria that cause cavities feed on sugar and then excrete acid as a waste product. This acid dissolves teeth causing the cavity.
- Soda, candy, energy drinks, fruit juice, or too much added sugar in coffee or tea.
Avoid strong acid consumption:
- Acids cause teeth the dissolve. Teeth, like bone, is formed by minerals. These minerals dissolve in the presence of strong acids with low pH.
- Strong acids and harmful habits include soda, vinegar, and lemon (i.e. lemon water or eating/sucking lemons).
Go to bed with a meticulously clean mouth:
- Saliva protects the teeth against cavities. But it decreases when we sleep (hence waking up with dry mouth).
- So, without its protective benefits (minerals, antibodies, proteins), bacteria have a field day.
- Note: Patients with Sjogren’s Disease lack sufficient saliva and are at high-risk cavities.
Cleanings every 2, 3, or 4 months:
- Additional cleanings are helpful when patients are at high-risk for cavities or gum disease AND have persistent plaque and inflamed (bleeding) gums.
- Note: Healthy gums do not bleed, nor do they hurt when being cleaned (at home or in dental office).
Looking for a family-owned dental practice for you or the whole family? We would love to meet you.
Contact us anytime at 212-687-3808.
Contact us anytime at 212-687-3808.