Preventive Practices

Decades of research demonstrate how preventive oral health practices can help decrease the development of certain oral health conditions, including dental caries, or cavities. Preventive oral healthcare starts good oral hygiene practices, such as brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, drinking fluoridated water, flossing daily, chewing sugar free gum, and avoiding excess sugar and fermentable carbohydrates, and not smoking. Prevention also includes addressing socio-economic and racial/ethnic inequalities that impact access to oral healthcare and education.  

Find out more about how evidenced-based preventive practices can address gaps in oral healthcare and reduce the prevalence of dental caries and other oral health conditions in this review of published research.