Tooth decay occurs when the bacteria in your mouth adheres to your teeth, eats away at the enamel and forms a hole, or cavity. Good dental hygiene, including proper brushing and flossing as well as regular appointments with your dentist, is essential to prevent tooth decay. Eating certain foods can also be a part of keeping your teeth healthy.
Water
Drinking water is a factor in preventing tooth decay. Water flushes bacteria away from your teeth before it has a chance to stick to your teeth and form plaque. Fluoridated water is even better than bottled water in many cases. Fluoride strengthens the enamel of your teeth, making the penetration of acids more difficult. If your tap water does not contain fluoride, ask your dentist about receiving fluoride treatments.
Cheese
Cheese is a beneficial food to help prevent tooth decay. The dairy product performs a variety of functions to keep your mouth healthy. Cheese reduces the amount of demineralization of your teeth, a process that weakens the enamel and makes you more susceptible to decay. Cheese also neutralizes the acids that are found in the plaque you probably already have on your teeth, making them less likely to cause decay.
Produce
Include crunchy varieties of produce in your diet to fight tooth decay. Just as sticky foods are more likely to get caught in the grooves of your teeth and form cavities, crunchy foods have the opposite effect. Eating carrots, celery, apples, pears, cucumbers and bell peppers causes you to salivate more than when you eat softer foods. The excess saliva washes bacteria away, similar to how water flushes the harmful germs away from your teeth.
Tea
Tea drinkers may have a leg up on preventing tooth decay than those who do not enjoy the beverage, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Tea made with fluoridated water gives you one level of protection against tooth decay. Black tea -- the type of tea many people refer to as "regular" tea -- slows the growth of enzymes that help plaque stick to your teeth.
