Let’s be realistic. We know you’re not going to completely stop eating sugary foods like candy, ice cream and cake; and, most people will continue to enjoy starchy foods like bread, crackers and cereal.
However, sugary and starchy foods are the types of food that create more plaque, and plaque causes tooth decay. Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums after eating. When you don’t brush or floss, the plaque/bacteria starts its dirty work.
The bacteria combined with leftover food particles forms harmful acids that destroy enamel and teeth. Eventually, the decay leads to cavities.
Cavity prevention starts in your hands: floss and brush. Keep floss and a toothbrush at work. Pack floss and a toothbrush in your backpack for school. It really only takes a couple of minutes to protect your teeth.
“Prevention! Prevention is the key to a healthy mouth. Forming good habits of brushing and flossing must be repeated every day, and after about two weeks of doing this as a daily routine, it becomes a habit and not a chore,” said Dr. Meyer.
Even dentists have to get into a routine. “As for flossing, for some reason I have a tough time being motivated for that one. But, I have found that keeping some floss close to my TV makes for a good opportunity to floss,” said Dr. Johns.
So, keep your toothbrush and floss close by, and make it a habit to attack plaque. However, don’t forget that regular dental checkups are an extremely important part of the battle plan.