Diet and adequate hydration.

An adequate diet is of great importance to the prevention of cavities, in several senses:

- Good nutrients: It is necessary for the formation of some teeth healthy and strong in front of the cavities. As early pregnancy affects the oral health and a varied diet rich in all nutrients, including of course minerals.

- Prevent abuse of intake of sweets: carbohydrates or sugars are good and necessary within a varied diet, but one must try not to abuse them. More importantly the way it is taken: Taken with other foods are much less cariogenic that if taken in isolation, therefore must be avoided sweets between meals or just before bedtime. And in any case, if they eat sweets, we must brush.

It is necessary to mention here a couple of aspects with regard to food in the first months of life, avoiding a great affection for caries (tooth decay rampant in the bottle) are:

- Not dampen the bottle or pacifier in sugar, honey or similar, and neither will they throw in the contents of the bottle (water, milk or natural fruit juices).

- Avoid prolonged contact of the teat of the bottle with your teeth. You do not have to be the bottle all night placed in the mouth.

- Maintenance of saliva: Saliva is a protective agent, anti-decay of natural origin and is composed by 99% by water, hence the importance of drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

The purpose of the use of fluoride is to try to give more resistance against tooth decay. The contribution presupposes fluorine ore to the hard tissues of the tooth. When fluoride is added to the composition of the enamel crystals makes them stronger against acid attack.

Fluoride is implemented by fluorine compounds (fluoride), which in turn can be oral (ingested) or topical (local action on the teeth in the mouth). For the oral tablets of fluoride exist, and for the topical route highlights the toothpaste, mouth rinse or professional use products (gels, varnishes).

Have been reported to lower the incidence of caries in recent years may be related to the use of fluoride toothpaste, because they are a method of application of fluoride very steady and progressive, and therefore very effective.

In some populations, the water is fluoridated as a preventive measure and not anti-caries is often necessary provides extra fluoride. In Spain this method is not widespread but there are areas with water fluoride (naturally and artificially), so before you start using fluoride is interesting to consult with your dentist (or pediatrician).

The tablets have fluorinated its main use in children at risk for cavities that have not yet developed the ability to rinse the mouth without swallowing liquid.

From approximately 6 years, children have already developed the ability to rinse and not swallowing, so they can start to use of fluoride mouthwashes. These can be applied daily or weekly: The daily application is often more convenient, as tends to be more strictly, that is, it becomes a habit and not easily forgotten.

Fluoride can be toxic when ingested in high doses, and even non-toxic doses, but higher than recommended, can cause alterations in the teeth if they are being formed (such as spots, roughness, …). That's why it's important to adjust the dose of either the tablets and did not ingest the fluorine mouthwash.

In patients with a high risk of caries may be desirable to establish a pattern of professional applications of fluoride concentrated, with fluoride gel applied by means of buckets in the dental arches or with fluoride varnish adhered to all or certain tooth surfaces.

Fluoride is recommended most frequently in children, but there are specific situations and patients who can benefit greatly from its use, regardless of age (for example, to the neck and root caries in adults).

Sealants are to prevent cavities that can form in the grooves and holes characteristic of the anatomy of teeth. Sometimes these grooves are very narrow and deep, so it is very difficult to clean areas where there is more risk of cavities.

The material for sealing of pits and fissures of the teeth is initially a fluid, composition similar to that of the white material for filling, which stretches easily and is inserted into the irregularities of the tooth surface. After this fluid hardens, usually by applying a special light that reacted to the compound. Finally, the sealer is virtually nil and either acceded to the views and to the occlusion.

Revisions to the dentist every 6-12 months

Periodic reviews serve to detect any new cavities and to control teeth with cavities in treatment.

The early diagnosis of lesions of decay makes it possible to offer more solutions (and generally easier and cheaper) than when they are detected at advanced stages. The prognosis of a tooth decay treaty will be better when it is treated early.

The visit to the dentist is a good way of ensuring dental health compared to the decay.