A bright smile can improve the mood in a room. However, protecting your teeth against cavities takes some maintenance. Thankfully, a dentist in Lincoln Park, Chicago can clean your teeth regularly and provide at-home oral health care advice to keep your smile bright and beautiful and free of blemishes. 

What are Dental Cavities?

Cavities are teeth holes caused by decay. Anyone, regardless of age, can have dental cavities when they ignore their oral health. For a lot of people, cavities develop because of the foods they eat and inadequate tooth brushing. 

Although it’s easy to avoid cavities, they are common. Also, cavities are easy to treat. If your dentist discovers a cavity during your dental checkup, they will get rid of the decay and treat your tooth with a tooth-colored filling. With this filling, you can smile confidently without worrying about other people noticing it. 

Symptoms of Dental Cavities

Depending on the cavity’s location and size, your symptoms can vary. In some instances, cavities are quite small and do not present symptoms. Typically, you or your dentist can detect a cavity by observation. You may have a cavity when you experience pain when you bite down, toothache, tooth sensitivity, tooth hole or pit, and tooth staining. Reach out to a dentist if you experience any of these symptoms. They can examine your teeth and give proper treatment to alleviate your discomfort. 

Protecting Your Teeth Against Cavities

Your dentist will help you keep a bright and healthy smile. They will encourage you to care for your gums and health at home aside from seeing them every six months for cleanings. To ensure optimal oral health and prevent the formation of dental cavities, here are tips to keep in mind:

• Don’t ignore your oral health. Generally, you should brush your teeth two times or more every day and floss once. Brush all surfaces of your teeth and clean food particles or debris that may have formed in between the teeth. 
• Pick fluoride products. Your toothpaste should contain fluoride, which rebuilds weakened enamel, reverses early tooth decay, and slows down mineral loss from the enamel. Fluoride can also be present in communities that add it to public water supplies. 
• Schedule bi-annual dental checkups. Unless you are suffering from a dental problem that needs frequent attention, you can see your dentist every six months for teeth cleaning and oral examination. Even if you do not have any issues, such visits let your dentist monitor your oral health.