12 Tips to Prevent Cavities Naturally

Preventing cavities is everyone’s goal whether they like the dentist or not. Cavities cause problems for your oral health, but they also can be painful. If you don’t want to live with pain, you should take steps to prevent cavities. You should brush and floss and visit your dentist regularly. Beyond that, here are some tips that help prevent cavities. Watch what you eat -- You want to ingest alkaline foods. Those with high alkaline content make the bones strong and healthy. They also keep cavities from forming in your teeth because your teeth get stronger. Fruits and vegetables have high alkaline content. They also are healthy for other reasons, such as boosting your immune system to fight bacteria in the mouth. Balance acidity levels -- Stay away from foods with too much acid or sugar. This is a no-brainer because sugar feeds bacteria, which leads to cavities. However, the acid and sugar also lower the pH balance in your body, which will deteriorate calcium, which is essential for bones and teeth. Stick to raw vegetables -- Although cooked vegetables are important, you are better off when you eat raw vegetables. Cooking vegetables take the cell-building nutrients. When you chomp down on raw vegetables, you get the maximum amount of nutrients. You also boost saliva production in your mouth, which is the body’s natural defense against cavities. Try tea tree oil -- Add drops of tea tree oil to your oral products, such as your toothpastes and mouth rinses. This is beneficial because tea tree oil protects the mouth from bacteria growth. Fewer bacteria will lead to fewer cavities. Drink water -- Almost every nutritionist will tell you to stay hydrated and drink plenty of water. It has so many health benefits. For your oral health, water creates saliva, which as previously stated fights bacteria. Saliva has mucus and enzymes that cover the teeth and break down food.Saliva also puts your mouth into pH balance and harmony. Drink black and green tea -- Teas prevent plaque buildup in the mouth, which will go a long way toward preventing cavities. Eat cheese, nuts and apples -- Like vegetables, cheese, apples and nuts are great for your teeth. They break up plaque on your teeth. These high-fiber foods also boost saliva production in your mouth. Cheese, like all dairy products, include calcium, which is necessary for bones and teeth. Apples, like crunchy vegetables, stimulate your salivary glands. Apples also have other properties that help teeth. Chew sugar-free gum -- Besides generating saliva, the gum will clean food particles off your teeth after you have eaten a meal. Use xylitol -- This natural sweetener stops bacteria in the mouth from growing. You can find it in gum or as a separate sweetener. You also can put some in your toothpaste or mouthwash. Use a straw -- Although drinking carbonated beverages, such as sparkling water, sparkling wine or soda is bad, you can reduce the effects of the bad drink by using a straw. Studies have found that the straw keeps the acid from your teeth. But a better option is to choose water or tea. Get your vitamins -- Don’t slack on your nutrients. You need enough vitamins A, D, E, and K in your diet. You also must get calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and other key minerals. Brush before breakfast -- Bacteria build up in your mouth while you are sleeping, especially if you drink something before bed. If you brush before you break your fast, you will remove sticky plaque. You should follow this routine if you normally drink orange juice in the morning. Acidic foods weaken enamel for at least an hour after consumption. Therefore, you might actually do more harm than good if you brush after you eat prior to an hour.