The document outlines methods to prevent dental caries, a common issue caused by bacteria in the mouth reacting with sugary and starchy foods. Key prevention strategies include brushing after meals, using fluoride toothpaste, rinsing with mouthwash, regular dental visits, applying dental sealants, limiting snacking, avoiding sugary foods, and abstaining from eating before bed. These practices can help maintain oral hygiene and protect teeth from decay.

1. How to Prevent Dental Caries

2. Dental caries is a common dental problem many people face. It's
also known as dental decay or tooth decay. It occurs when food
that contains sugar and starch is taken in high amounts. The
bacteria in the mouth consume this kind of food and form acid.
The acid attacks the teeth. Repeated attacks start breaking down
the enamel, the outer-most layer of a tooth. This can lead to a
major cavity in the tooth. A piece of good news is that dental
problem can be prevented. This article discusses how to prevent
dental caries/cavities.

3. Brushing after each meal: Brushing twice a day is a
good practice to maintain oral hygiene. It is
advisable to brush after each meal. This has a major
effect on fighting cavities. See to it that you use a
toothpaste that contains appropriate amount of
fluoride because fluoride helps in making teeth
strong.

4. Rinsing your mouth: There are many mouthwashes
available in the market. These mouthwashes are
clinically proven for reducing plaque. Rinsing your
mouth with these mouthwashes after eating helps
prevent cavities.

5. Visiting the dentist regularly: Generally, cavities do
not show any signs in the early stage and can only be
detected by dental professionals. Visiting the dentist
once in every six months and getting the teeth
cleaned by them plays a major role in preventing
cavities/tooth decay.

6. Considering dental sealants: This involves applying a
protective shield-like coating to the surface of the
back teeth. These sealants help in protecting the teeth
from cavities. Sealants are more commonly used in
children as they will be growing permanent teeth.
Sealants are beneficial for adults as well.

7. Avoiding frequent snacking: Eating or drinking
frequently without drinking enough water leads to
feeding the bacteria in the mouth that create acid.
Water helps in washing away the left over food,
which can otherwise leave your teeth surface clogged
up with food. If you snack frequently, it is similar to
keeping your teeth under constant attack.

8. Avoiding sugary and starchy diet: Avoid diet containing high
amount of sugar and starch. This is because the bacteria in your
mouth react with such kind of food and form acid. This acid
attacks the tooth, and can breakdown the tooth's surface that
can progress to more serious one.
Avoid eating or drinking right before going to bed: Finally, to
prevent cavities, it is important to avoid consuming food that
contains carbohydrates before going to bed. This is important
because there is no production of saliva when you sleep and
your mouth becomes dry. Dry mouth makes teeth prone to
decay.

9. Resources:
http://www.xpressdentalclinic.com
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-to-Prevent-Dental-
Caries?&id=8623615

10. Thank you!