Cavities that form in between teeth are a very common dental problem. Also known as interproximal cavities, these occur due to a breakdown of your teeth’s outer calcified enamel caused by bacteria.
Although these cavities are very typical, they are also preventable. Want to know what you can do to keep interproximal cavities away? Keep reading!
Did You Know?
- 35% of your teeth’s surfaces is actually between your teeth? Brushing is only able to reach the other two-thirds, so forgoing flossing is a pretty big deal.
- Dental cavities are among the most prevalent chronic diseases across all ages. Luckily, they are very easy to prevent with just a few simple steps.
How to Prevent Cavities
Brush your teeth twice a day, for 2 minutes at a time. Make sure your technique uses circular motions on the fronts and chewing surfaces of your teeth, while the backs get a short up-and-down motion. Remembering to get your back molars is key!
Floss every day. Yes, every day. In order to reach that one-third of your teeth that brushing can’t clean, you will want to floss every single day using the proper flossing method explained here.
Get x-rays taken yearly. When you go in for your 6-month checkup, ask if you’re due for an x-ray. This allows your dentist to catch early signs of decay which show up on the images as dark areas surrounding the outer layer of your teeth. If your dentist sees anything suspicious, they may prescribe a mouthwash or toothpaste with extra fluoride, as well as encourage you to keep up with flossing.
I Already Have a Cavity—Now What?
What’s done is done, so don’t beat yourself up about it. Cavities, even interproximal ones, can be treated quite easily with dental fillings. However, save yourself from having to get more in the future by making any necessary changes to your oral hygiene routine. Your teeth will thank you!