Moderate Risk Prevention

Prevention for patients with Moderate Decay Risk

You are at moderate risk for decay if:

See :Tooth Decay, Risk Levels and Preventive Strategies

Home Care

Brush twice daily - use a soft toothbrush with an over-the-counter fluoride-containing toothpaste
Use a Power-assisted toothbrush– See The Benefits of Electric Toothbrush vs. Manual
Floss daily to clean between teeth- if you cannot floss use a Gum Soft-Pick instead. Instructions on how : CDA brushing and Flossing
Consider a high-fluoride toothpaste -such as Colgate PreviDent 5000 toothpaste (5000 parts per million fluoride)
X-pur Opti-Rinse 0.05% or .2% sodium fluoride rinse- rinse with 10 ml (one cap full) once or twice daily after you have used your fluoride toothpaste.

Dietary Tips

Limit between-meal sweet snacks and sugary drinks. It's the duration of sugar exposure to your teeth that matters, not the quantity consumed.
Avoid acidic foods and beverages between meals.
End your breakfast, lunch, or dinner with cheese, nuts, seeds, or peanut butter to reduce mouth acidity.
Do not brush your teeth immediately after eating. Brushing while acid is present can wear down tooth enamel. Waiting an hour allows saliva to neutralize the acid, making it safe to brush.
To neutralize acids post-meal, rinse with a mixture of 1 tsp baking soda in a cup of water.
Use Xylitol candies or gum four times daily. X-Pur or Pur..

Professional Care

Please keep regular preventive maintenance visits at 6 to 12 month intervals:
Get new bitewing radiographs (X-rays) about every 24-36 months to check for cavities.
Get a fluoride varnish treatment after your teeth cleanings.
Complete any necessary restorative dental work, such as fillings or crowns.
If suitable, have sealants placed on the chewing surfaces of your molars to prevent bacterial infection and dental decay.
If you think you grind and clench, consider a Bruxism Splint
If you play contact sports protect your teeth with a sports guard