It can be incredibly frustrating to think that you are taking good care of your teeth and then go to a dental appointment to discover you have cavities. If you want to go to your next cleaning appointment cavity-free, the following tips may help.

Change Out Your Toothbrush Every Few Months

Many people just change their toothbrush out every six months when their dentist gives them a new one at their teeth cleaning appointment. However, it's very important for you to use a new toothbrush after three or four months.

Toothbrushes can get worn down easily, meaning that they won't work as effectively at moving plaque. Furthermore, toothbrushes that are older start harboring bacteria, so it is especially important for you to change out your toothbrush after an illness, like a cold or flu bug.

Only Brush After Non-Acidic Food is Consumed

Some people like to give their teeth a quick brush after a heavy meal. Since foods and beverages encourage bacteria to attack enamel, this can be a good practice to breakdown plaque and prevent cavities. However, make sure you are only brushing your teeth when non-acidic food is consumed. For instance, if you brush your teeth after eating foods like oranges or grapefruits, then you could actually be pressing the acids into the pores of tooth enamel.

When in doubt, drink a glass of water after eating to cleanse your palate of acidic substances, sugars, and carbs. Then wait about a half an hour before brushing.

Up Your Flossing Game

You may think that brushing is the main force at eliminating cavities, but don't discount your flossing. Flossing is much more important than you might think. For instance, healthline.com interviewed one dentist who said that if you could only choose one habit, then it should be flossing.

Obviously, you need to do both activities, but the point of the article was that some of the most destructive oral bacteria lives between the teeth and underneath the gums. In short, floss every day so that these bacteria don't have a chance to thrive.

Start Wearing a Mouthguard If You Suspect Bruxism

If you are stumped about why you keep getting cavities, ask your dentist about bruxism. Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can actually wear down the outer layers of your teeth, making it that much easier for bacteria to infiltrate the enamel. At your next teeth cleaning appointment, ask your dentist to check your teeth for signs of bruxism. Usually bruxism can cause the cusps of the back teeth to wear down; in severe cases, your dentist may even notice microfractures in the teeth. Curbing your cavity count might be as simple as wearing a mouthguard while you sleep at night.

Talk with a dentist at offices like The Downtown Dental Clinic about your concerns and for more tips at your next teeth cleaning. He or she can help you make 2018 a cavity-free year!