Between talking, chewing, kissing, and smiling, your mouth gets a lot of action. You do your best to keep it healthy, but many people around the world still suffer from the same dental health problems. Whether the issue is something serious or a minor dental health hurdle, keeping up with preventative dentistry techniques is the key to a happy mouth. Why would you choose to fix the problem after it’s already affected your life when you could simply prevent it from happening in the first place?

Here are three of the most common dental problems and how you can prevent them.

• Bad Breath: Bad breath is a common problem that can’t always be solved by a breath mint. The medical term for it is halitosis, and the tongue is the most likely source of the stink. Bacteria builds up on the tongue’s surface and produces volatile sulfur compounds. You can’t see them, but you can definitely smell them. You need to scrape your tongue every morning to clean it of bacteria.
• Dry Mouth: According to a survey conducted by The Health Policy Institute, dry mouth is one of the most common dental problems. There are a number of causes for it, including certain kinds of medication, snoring, nerve damage, and tobacco use. Drinking water is the easiest and most obvious way to prevent it, but that doesn’t always do the trick. If you start a new medication, remember to ask your doctor about possible side effects.
• Cavities: Cavities are essentially tiny holes that develop because of built-up bacteria. If they’re not treated, they get deeper and wider until the entire tooth starts to decay. Preventative dentistry is the only effective way to keep your teeth cavity-free. Brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, don’t overdo it with sugary foods, and visit your dentist on an annual basis.

Ask your dentist and they’ll tell you a bright smile starts with preventative dentistry. Main Street Dental in La Crosse, WI, is a family favorite, and they help patients build and maintain healthy smiles. Learn more about the benefits of preventative dentistry by visiting their Facebook page, or schedule a teeth cleaning by calling (608) 784-4063. You can also find out more about the practice on their website.