Prevention of Dental decay

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Tooth decay can be prevented by practising good oral hygiene. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and cleaning in between your teeth with dental floss or interdental brushes daily. This removes the plaque forming constantly on your teeth and reduces the likelihood of acid attack.

Cut down on the amount of sugary foods and drinks to reduce the number of times your teeth are subjected to acid attack.

Chewing sugar free gum for ten minutes after a meal increases the saliva flow and helps to neutralise any acids which have been formed as a result of eating sugary foods.

Your dentist should review how frequently you need a dental checkup, tailored to your needs. The National Institute of Clinical excellence (NICE) recommend an interval of between 3 and 24 months if you are over 18 and between 3 and 12 months if you are under 18. If decay is treated early a filling will usually be sufficient to prevent the decay spreading to the pulp chamber within the tooth.

Your dentist may also advise you to visit a dental hygienist who can remove plaque build-up and calculus from your teeth and show you the best ways to keep your teeth clean and healthy.