Prevention is better than cure; this is really apt for dental health, as tooth decay is natural but prevention methodologies paves ways to healthy dentures. Dental decay is caused mainly by sugar and things made from sugar. The sugar gets converted into an acid and it is this acid which harms the teeth in a short while, even in a few hours.
Dental decay was almost unknown in older days when the consumption of sugar was far less. Even today, in countries where sugar is eaten in small quantities, trouble with teeth is much less. The best way to prevent decay is to wash one’s teeth thoroughly after every meal and especially when one has eaten sugar or sugar products. Vigorous gargling with water and rubbing the teeth and gums with one’s finger is enough.
Very small quantities of fluoride in water also protect against dental decay.
Tooth paste as such has little to do with preventing dental decay except when the tooth paste itself contains fluoride. Tooth paste however, like soap acts as a solvent and helps to release the food particles stuck between the teeth as these particles later tend to lead to dental decay.
