Cavities are a common dental problem. Although it sounds trivial, cavities that don’t get treated can have a variety of adverse health effects. Therefore, know how to prevent it.
Cavities are caused by a combination of various factors, namely the development of bacteria in the mouth, the habit of consuming sweet foods and drinks, and the hygiene of teeth and mouth that are not well maintained.
To prevent cavities, you need to maintain cleanliness and healthy teeth and mouth. The trick is to:
Brush your teeth twice a day
The most basic thing you need to do to prevent cavities is to get used to brushing your teeth twice a day, ie morning and evening before bed. If necessary, you can also brush your teeth after eating or eating sweet foods. The goal is so that there is no leftover food stuck to the teeth so that the risk for natural cavities can be reduced.
Cleaning with dental floss
After brushing your teeth, you are also advised to clean your teeth using dental floss (flossing). Flossing can help clean leftovers between teeth that are not reached by toothbrush bristles.
Using mouthwash
In addition to using dental floss, you can also use mouthwash to help clean leftovers in areas that are difficult to reach. However, avoid using mouthwash in children under 6 years.
In addition to getting used to doing the various treatments above, you also need to check your oral health to the dentist regularly, at least once every 6 months. Checking yourself regularly will make your dental and mouth health properly monitored, and if there are signs of cavities, treatment can be done immediately.
The threat of disease due to cavities
Cavities can cause various health problems. Not only does it cause bad breath, toothache, and interfere with comfort when eating, cavities will also increase the risk of various diseases, such as:
Lung infection
The risk of lung infections, such as pneumonia, will increase if you have cavities. This is because the bacteria found in cavities can spread to the lungs and cause infection.
Heart disease
Research reveals that dental health affects heart health. You who have cavities and periondontitis have a higher risk for heart disease. This is because the bacteria found in the teeth and mouth can spread to the bloodstream and infect the heart valves.
Stroke
Poor oral health and the presence of cavities can increase the risk of stroke. This is because the immune system’s response to infections of the teeth and gums can cause inflammation which will make the blood clot more easily, thereby increasing the risk of blockages in the arteries.
Dental hygiene and health need to be maintained early to avoid cavities and a number of health problems that result. Remember, fixing cavities and problems will be far more difficult and more expensive than treating it.
So, let’s do the above methods as a routine, and if you experience cavities, check with your dentist before causing various diseases.
