How Can I Prevent Cavities?

Nobody wants cavities. They start out small, but if untreated, they only get bigger. The decay spreads and causes serious problems. The best way to deal with cavities is to prevent them from even starting. How? Here are five ways:

1. Watch What You Eat & Drink

All food can cause cavities, because the bacteria in your mouth eat whatever you eat, and create plaque, tartar, and acid. However, certain foods are more bothersome than others. Bacteria loves sugar and refined carbs, so if your diet is heavy with those, you are more likely to get cavities. Nutrient-rich foods like fresh fruit and vegetables are much better for your teeth and your body in general. Raw fruits like apple and celery can even help break down plaque on your teeth before it hardens into tartar. For beverages, water is naturally the best, while drinks packed with sugar (like soda and many energy drinks) are the worst.

man wearing a bathrobe brushing his teeth to prevent cavities

2. Have a Consistent Brushing/Flossing Routine

The best way to prevent cavities is to take care of your teeth and gums through brushing and flossing. We recommend brushing at least twice per day for two minutes each time. Flossing can be a once-a-day habit, so you can prevent cavities from forming because of plaque found in the tiny spaces between the teeth. Don’t forget to brush your tongue, too! Lots of bacteria like to live on your tongue’s surface, and if you don’t clean them away, they spread to your teeth. Replace your brush every 3 months or so, since the bristles of brushes wear down and aren’t as effective at cleaning.

3. Use a Toothpaste with Fluoride

Fluoride is a natural element, and it’s been well-established that small amounts of it strengthen your teeth. You can get toothpastes with fluoride or a fluoride rinse to keep your teeth in the best shape possible. If you are at special risk for cavities, fluoride toothpaste and rinses are an especially good addition to your oral health routine.

4. Don’t Chew Tobacco or Smoke

Tobacco products have been linked with increased risk of tooth decay. Studies show people using smokeless tobacco are especially vulnerable to cavities at the gumline. While chewing tobacco raises your risk the most (which makes sense considering the stuff is right in your mouth), smoking is also dangerous for your oral health.

5. Go to the Dentist Twice a Year

After a solid brushing/flossing routine at home and other lifestyle choices that keep your teeth healthy, going to the dentist bi-annually is the best way to prevent cavities. Dr. McCord, Dr. Knox, and the team at Mint Dental Care are here to give your teeth a professional cleaning and catch any problems before they become serious. We can see your mouth and teeth much more thoroughly than you can, and provide expert care and advice on how to keep cavities at bay.

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Will Lemonade & Other Citrus Drinks Erode Teeth?

citrus drinks in jars with straws can harm teeth

In addition to regular brushing and flossing, your diet is an integral part of your oral health. While you probably know that sugary sodas can damage teeth and make you more susceptible to cavities, sodas aren’t the only beverages that can erode your teeth. Today, we want to talk about the impact that citrusy drinks like orange juice or lemonade can have on your pearly whites.

How Does Citrus Impact Teeth?

While citrus has plenty of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that are good for health, it can also damage your teeth. How can something be healthy for your body but potentially damaging for your teeth? Well, citrus is also high in citric acid, one of the enemies of healthy teeth.

How Does Acid Damage Teeth?

At any given moment, your mouth is full of bacteria. Some bacteria are beneficial — they break down food as you chew and kick-start your digestive process. Other bacteria are harmful because they break down sugars and starches and produce acid as a by-product. Acid wears away on your tooth enamel and can lead to cavities and other oral health problems as a result. When you consume additional acid (citric acid, for example) on top of the acid your body already produces, you can speed up enamel erosion.

Without proper oral hygiene, acid can mix with bacteria to form bacterial plaque. This substance sticks to teeth, erodes enamel, and can harden into tartar if left untreated. Not only does bacterial plaque lead to more cavities, it can irritate gums and cause the early stages of gum disease.

How Can You Limit the Impact of Citric Acid on Teeth?

Practice good oral hygiene routine at home to limit the impact of citric acid on your teeth. Additionally, visit our office regularly for professional cleanings and dental exams. To ask our team any questions about the impact of citrus on your oral health or to schedule your next visit, call us today!

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Tips to Improve Oral Health

young woman looking in the mirror brushing her teeth

New season, new school year, new you! With our help, it’s time for you to recommit to your oral care. In this blog post, we’ll go over some simple things you can do to improve your oral health.

Perfect Your Dental Routine

Here’s what you need to do at home in order to keep your teeth healthy. Be sure to brush at least twice per day. When you brush it should be for a full two minutes. Set a timer if you need to, this time is important. Brush gently so as not to inflict damage on your teeth and gums. Flossing is just as important as brushing, so don’t skip it. It’s crucial that you get at those hard to reach areas that a toothbrush just can’t access.

Favor Tooth-Healthy Foods

You probably know the most important rule: go easy on the sugar. The same goes for starchy, carb-laden foods. Sugar and carbs will feed the bacteria that creates plaque on your teeth. Plaque, in turn, eats away at your protective enamel, causing damage and decay. What can you eat? Fruits and veggies are always smart choices, dairy and nuts are great too.

Use Flouride

If you’re not already incorporating fluoride into your tooth care regimen, go ahead and start. A fluoride toothpaste or rinse will have a positive impact on your oral health. Fluoride is a material that is naturally occurring, and it’s safe for use on your teeth. It makes your tooth enamel stronger. Enamel is the thin but hard outer layer of the tooth that protects the inside of the tooth from decay, infection, and other damage.

Biannual Visits to Mint Dental Care

Without regular visits to the dentist, there’s no way to ensure your oral health. When you visit our office, we give your teeth a deep, professional clean, and examine your mouth for any issues that may need to be addressed.

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Holiday Treats That Are Good for Your Teeth

The holidays mean time spent with family and friends, fun traditions, and maybe even some presents. They also mean lots of food, and often not the kind that are good for your oral health. For those looking to stay healthy and cavity-free this holiday season, we’ll discuss some holiday treats that are good for your teeth.

three gingerbread man cookies good for oral health

Gingerbread Cookies

Yes, some cookies are not bad for your oral health! The key is finding those that don’t require a lot of sugar. Your typical sugar cookies often have more than a cup of sugar, while gingerbread cookies call for about half that. Another benefit is that gingerbread is high in fiber and ginger is an anti-inflammatory.

Cheesy Reindeer

Want a snack that’s as healthy as it is cute? Look no further than cheese reindeer! Cheese is good for your teeth because it’s packed with calcium to make your tooth enamel stronger. To make cheese reindeer, simply take a wedge of cheese cut in a triangle for the face, use black olives for the eyes, a round chunk of red pepper for the nose, and pretzels for the ears.

Oatmeal Cookies

Another healthier cookie, oatmeal cookies are good for your oral health because they are also much lower in sugar. In fact, they can be made with even less sugar if you substitute applesauce for a lot of the sugar in the recipe. Applesauce is a more natural sweetener that will also keep the cookies moist for longer. Better for your teeth and better for your tastebuds!

Pumpkin Pie

Another holiday treat you don’t have to feel too guilty about is pumpkin pie. High in fiber and Vitamin A, pumpkin strengthens your teeth’s enamel and works to keep gums healthy. Pumpkin pie recipes also don’t often call for too much sugar. Just be sure not to pile on the whipped cream!

Sweet Potatoes

Naturally sweet without being packed with sugar, sweet potatoes are a great holiday treat. They’re high in vitamins A and C which are vital to maintaining healthy gums. Just make sure that you pass on the sweet potato casserole that’s topped with marshmallows and brown sugar.

Chocolate Hazelnut Meringues

Instead of Hershey’s kisses, which are filled with sugar, make your own drop cookies with chocolate and hazelnuts. It’ll save your teeth from a lot of sugar, but will be so delicious that you won’t miss the Hershey’s kisses.

If you have any other questions about healthy holiday snacks that are good for your teeth, or if you need to schedule a checkup, contact us today!

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5 Tooth-Friendly Sugar Substitutes

sugar cubes on a black background



1. Sucralose



2. Stevia


3. Monk Fruit


4. Xylitol


5. Erythritol



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5 Tips for Fighting Cavities

Aerial view of a pink, blue that is missing a bite, and brown donut, covered with colorful sprinkles on a wooden counter

If you have ever had a cavity, you’re in the majority: it’s estimated that nine in ten American adults have at least one cavity.

What Are Cavities?

A cavity is a small area of decay on your tooth, usually in the form of a small hole. They’re not easy to detect yourself, which is why it is so important to see Dr. McCord every 6 months so that he can determine if you have them. Common signs of cavities include tooth sensitivity and pain, along with bad breath. Cavities are easily treatable in their early stages, but if you don’t get them treated right away, the decay will spread and you may be required to have a root canal or a tooth extraction in the future.

What Causes Cavities?

Tooth decay occurs when you have too much bacteria on the surface of your teeth and are not doing enough to curb their growth. Eating a diet that is rich in sugar and carbohydrates is a leading cause of cavities, because when bacteria on your teeth break down leftover sugar, they release acid that can actually eat away at the protective layer of your teeth. Additionally, poor oral hygiene leads to cavities.

5 Tips to Prevent Cavities

Even though they’re quite common, cavities are actually easily preventable! Follow these 5 tips to be completely cavity-free.

  1. Eat a Healthy Diet
  2. A well-balanced diet will balance acid levels in your mouth, making it harder for bacteria to grow. Having a proper mix of vitamins and nutrients will also help remineralize, or strengthen, your teeth every time you eat. Protein, calcium, and fiber are especially important for your teeth, so don’t be shy to incorporate more dairy, leafy greens, nuts, and fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet!

  3. Use Fluoride
  4. Using dental products that contain fluoride and drinking fluoridated water is a great way to ward of cavities, since fluoride prevents cavity-causing bacteria from multiplying. Just be careful not to use too much, because it can cause staining on your teeth.

  5. Brush & Floss Every Day
  6. Brushing your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes each time and flossing at least once per day is the best way to prevent cavities and gum disease. It only takes a couple of minutes each time!

  7. Stop Smoking
  8. Smoking negatively impacts your health, and because it weakens your immunity, it makes it even easier for the bacteria that is normally not so harmful to your teeth to overtake them and cause infections.

  9. Visit Your Dentist Regularly
  10. It’s very important to have Dr. McCord examine your teeth twice per year to make sure that either you don’t have cavities at all or are able to have them treated.

Don’t let cavities get the best of you! Visit us at Mint Dental Care for a clean bill of health. Contact us today!

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What Happens If I Leave a Cavity Untreated?

Brunette young woman outside hides her mouth with the collar of her brown knitted sweater

It’s always a little unnerving to hear that you have a cavity, especially if you generally take good care of your teeth. Since cavities develop below the surface, it’s hard to notice if you ever even had one at all prior to visiting your dentist. While a filling is the best way to take care of the problem, what happens if you just don’t do anything about it at all?

Why Cavities Develop

A cavity is a source of tooth decay. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth twice a day, you’re allowing bacteria on the surface of your teeth to multiply. When these bacteria consume sugars and starches left behind on your teeth, they release acid that destroys the enamel on your teeth. A cavity forms when acid eats away at the enamel inside, rather than on the very surface of, your teeth.

Cavity Treatment

The best way to treat a cavity is with a filling. Your dentist will clear the decay from your tooth and fill the area with a material to prevent further decay. In the past, dentists used metals like gold, silver, mercury, and zinc to fill teeth, which can be easily detected if you smile. Today, there are more natural-looking fillings made of resin or porcelain so that they are virtually unnoticeable!

What Happens If I Leave a Cavity Untreated?

If you decide to leave a cavity untreated, here is what you can expect:

  • Tooth Sensitivity — Your tooth will feel sensitive to heat and cold exposure, making it difficult to eat and drink your favorite foods.
  • Tooth Pain — Not only will your tooth become more sensitive, but the act of chewing or even talking will become increasingly painful. You will likely feel radiating pain whenever you talk or eat.
  • Tooth Decay — As the bacteria and decay grows down to the root, you may need a root canal or even a tooth extraction in the future. If you do require an extraction, you will have to consider ways to replace your tooth.

Cavity Prevention

Prevention is always better than cure, and that applies to cavities! Brush and floss diligently twice a day, limit your sugar and carb intake, and visit your dentist twice a year for thorough examinations. If you do need a filling, don’t worry. They are quick and can be completed in just one visit, so there’s no need to let a cavity go untreated. Doing so will mean that you will have go through more pain and money to find relief in the future!

From cavity prevention to cosmetic and restorative services, we at Mint Dental are here to help you have the smile of your dreams. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!

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