Prevent Cavities: Understanding & Eliminating Bacteria

Cavities are caused by bacteria in our mouth mixing with protein, food and saliva, which causes plague to form. Bacteria can hide on your teeth, your tongue and your toothbrush.

Instructions

• 1

  Brush your teeth correctly. On average, people spend less than 45 seconds brushing their teeth. Dentists recommend brushing the tops, bottoms, insides and outsides of teeth. In addition, you should brush your tongue, the insides of your cheeks and the roof of your mouth. This takes 2 to 3 minutes to remove as much bacteria as possible with the brush and protect you from cavities.

• 2

  Clean between your teeth, where bacteria can hide. You can prevent cavities by using dental floss or a water pick to remove bacteria. You can also use a water pick to scrape bacteria off your tongue.

• 3

  Watch what foods and drinks you consume. Sugars and carbohydrates help bacteria grow, reproduce and create the acid that eats through enamel to cause cavities. Foods like caramel, taffy, peanut butter and honey stick to your teeth and remain until you brush. Juices and other drinks often have high amounts of sugars. To prevent cavities, drink water to help dilute the sugars and brush after meals.

• 4

  Visit the dentist regularly. Dentists identify areas where bacteria are beginning to form cavities. The dentist can use a treatment of highly concentrated fluoride to prevent cavities from developing. If you aren't getting enough fluoride, the dentist may recommend a fluoride supplement.

• 5

  Buy a VIOlight for your toothbrush. Bacteria thrive in bathroom environments, which is where most people keep their toothbrush. VIOlight uses UV rays to kill 99.9 percent of the bacteria on your toothbrush. Personal travel units for individual toothbrushes and family friendly versions that can hold four toothbrushes are available at VIOlight's website.