There are countless foods that break down the enamel on your teeth, so avoiding tooth decay is nearly impossible. Fortunately, as your dentist can explain, there are ways to help prevent and reverse the damage. While it may be tedious, time-consuming, and sometimes a bit of a lifestyle change, excellent oral health is well worth the price.

How to Reverse Tooth Decay

1. Brush Your Teeth Correctly

Getting a good clean mouth that’s free of bacteria is your first step. Use a soft-bristle brush to avoid scrubbing away enamel. Brush for at least two minutes each day, and hold the brush at a 45-degree angle to remove debris under the gums. Throw out your toothbrush at least every three months, whenever the brush starts to fray, or if you’ve been sick. Don’t forget to floss once a day, as well; it’s not just something the dentist reminds you to do for fun, after all! 

2. Watch What You Eat & Drink

Sugars, carbohydrates, and acids break down your enamel, leading to tooth decay. By avoiding certain foods that have higher levels of these cavity inducers, and eating more nutritious meals, it helps to reduce and reverse tooth decay by preventing damage, and helping strengthen your teeth’s outer layers.

3. Remineralization

By watching what you eat and drink, you also increase the nutrients in your bloodstream, and that can lead to remineralization. Since saliva redistributes nutrients and minerals from our bloodstream, by eating more nutritiously, it can strengthen your teeth by distributing minerals, such as calcium, which can repair your teeth in time. Dentists often recommend foods like salmon, broccoli, egg yolks, avocado, and grass-fed meat and dairy.

If you have tooth decay and it doesn’t seem to be going away or getting better, turn to the trusted staff at Four Corners Dental Group. With two locations in Alaska and a team of experienced professionals, you can achieve a healthy, happy smile. This family practice offers dental implants, veneers, dentures, laser dentistry, pediatric dentistry, and emergency dental service. You can learn more about them at their website, or by calling (907) 258-3384 to reach their Anchorage location, or (907) 376-2790 for their Wasilla location to set up an appointment with a dentist.