Even if you regularly brush your teeth and use mouthwash, chances are that your gums remain vulnerable to tooth decay. This is because the bacteria that cause tooth decay also thrives on your gums, especially in areas where there is no saliva to wash away the sugar that it feeds on. If left unmitigated, this kind of bacterial infection can spread from one tooth to another. This leads to something called secondary caries: the localised advanced stages of tooth decay. If left untreated, this secondary caries can result in serious infections. Here’s how you can stop tooth decay from spreading!
Start brushing your teeth twice a day instead of once
First thing in the morning and before you go to bed, brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush that has been dipped in fluoride-based toothpaste. This will help remove the bacteria from your teeth and gums and protect them from further infections.
If you have bleeding gums, try using a mouthwash that contains the same active ingredient (i.e. fluorine) that is found in toothpaste: it will help stop the bleeding. There is also a chance that you might be allergic to fluoride; in that case, switch to a toothpaste that only contains natural antibacterial agents.
Floss and use a natural mouthwash
Second, every day, use floss to remove the bacterial plaque from between your teeth and gums. If you have a hard time doing this, you can try using a special floss pick instead. Using a natural mouthwash will also help get rid of the bacteria by washing it away with a mouthful of fluoride, herbal extracts, and essential oils.
Get yourself a fluoride-based toothpaste
We advise you to use toothpaste that has fluoride since it has been proven to protect against tooth decay and cavities. Fluoride is a natural mineral that strengthens the enamel of your teeth, making them less vulnerable to decay. In order to get the most out of this ingredient, be sure to use toothpaste that contains at least 1000 ppm of fluorine (i.e. 1% of the toothpaste). Otherwise, you might as well use non-fluoride-based toothpaste.
Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits
Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly is good, but it’s not enough. The bacterial plaque that is responsible for tooth decay also feeds on sugar and starch, which is why you should try limiting the amount of food that contains those. The best way to do this is to eat more fresh vegetables and fruits; you can also consider drinking green tea, which also helps control the bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
Use baking soda as an abrasive paste
If you don’t want to stop brushing your teeth but are worried that you might harm your gums, you can try brushing them with baking soda: it is an abrasive paste that is gentle on the gums while cleaning the teeth at the same time. Make sure that you brush your teeth thoroughly, though: bacteria love dark corners and crannies, which is why you should also brush your gums thoroughly.
Conclusion
The best way to stop tooth decay from spreading is to brush your teeth twice a day, floss them once every day, and use fluoride-based toothpaste. In addition to that, you can also drink green tea, eat fresh vegetables and fruits, and use baking soda as an abrasive toothpaste.
