A member asked:

Please share a tip in the form of a haiku on avoiding cavities.

85 doctors weighed in across 54 answers

Chewing: Chewing sugarless gum that contains xylitol after snacking can help reduce your risk of cavities.

Answered 5/16/2018

5.3k views

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Brush: Brush your teeth twice a day to keep the cavity bugs away.

Answered 4/9/2013

5.2k views

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Dr. Laurence Badgley answered

Specializes in General Practice

After: After flossing, brush with salt. Osmotic pressure of salt will kill mouth germs. Rinse well.

Answered 6/28/2013

5.2k views

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If: If you are out and can't brush, at least rinse.

Answered 9/29/2016

5.2k views

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Keep: Keep dental floss travel size on you where ever you go!

Answered 10/17/2013

5.2k views

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If: If you choose to chew gum, make sure it's sugarless!

Answered 4/12/2013

5.2k views

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Dr. Kayvon Javid answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Brush,: Brush, floss and see your dentist regularly.

Answered 12/9/2013

5.2k views

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Dr. Brian Hoffman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Brush: Brush for 2 minutes 2x/day; floss each night before bedtime; cavities grow fastest at night.

Answered 4/21/2013

5.2k views

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Dr. Brian Hoffman answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Keep: Keep a toothbrush in your car, but keep it covered and clean.

Answered 4/21/2013

5.2k views

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Drink: Drink sugary liquids (soda) through a straw. Or avoid them :) they are very acidic.

Answered 9/23/2013

5.2k views

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Sugar: Sugar and acid (soda/sour candy) are the enemy. Flush with water & floss often.

Answered 6/3/2014

5.2k views

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Dr. Gregory LaMorte answered

Specializes in Periodontics

Brush: Brush daily, floss daily, see your dentist regularly for professional care.

Answered 9/29/2016

5.1k views

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Dr. Theodore Davantzis answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Limit: Limit sugary food intake, brush and floss twice a day, and visit your dentist every six months.

Answered 9/29/2016

5.1k views

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Dr. Theodore Davantzis answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Brush,floss,keep: Brush, floss, keep teeth clean. Limit candy, soda, sweets, enjoy healthy smile.

Answered 6/12/2013

5.1k views

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Dr. Suzanne Fiala answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Brush: Brush and floss twice daily, avoid sweets and high fructose drinks. See your dentist regularly.

Answered 5/17/2014

5k views

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Brush: Brush twice daily, avoid highly acidic drinks, keep 6 month recalls.

Answered 1/13/2014

5k views

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You: You will find that a "waterpik" removes food particles from between your teeth better than floss.

Answered 7/19/2013

5k views

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Dr. Thomas Namey answered

Specializes in Rheumatology

Mouthwash: Mouthwash used regularly helps. Not as good as brushing, but does decrease cavities!

Answered 7/11/2013

5k views

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Floss: Floss & brush your teeth within 20 minutes after starting eating removes bacteria before acid forms.

Answered 6/25/2016

5k views

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Dr. Kayvon Javid answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Preventive: Preventive resin restoration is a conservative approach for patients who's cavities are found early.

Answered 12/16/2014

5k views

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Dr. Ihab Ibrahim answered

Specializes in Pain Management

Rinse: Rinse with water if you can't brush after a meal.

Answered 12/10/2013

5k views

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Dr. Joel Doyon answered

Specializes in Dentistry - Cosmetic

Brush: Brush and floss bacteria disruption healthy teeths and gums!

Answered 8/15/2013

4.9k views

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Dr. Mohammed Parvez answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Always: Always keep good oral hygiene with daily brushing and floss and avoid soda and sugary drinks.

Answered 8/17/2013

4.9k views

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Brush: Brush twice daily at least. Floss no less than once daily. Have 2x/year cleanings and check ups.

Answered 8/18/2013

4.9k views

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Find: Find out if water in your area has Fluoride in it. If not, start your children on Fluoride supp.

Answered 6/25/2014

4.9k views

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Brush: Brush teeth twice daily at least. Floss no less than once daily. Have 2x/year check ups.

Answered 8/18/2013

4.9k views

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Dr. James Donley answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Have: Have your dentist or hygienist teach you how to brush and floss daily. Avoid sweets and soft drinks.

Answered 7/13/2014

4.9k views

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Wearing: Wearing braces make beautiful faces for all to see.

Answered 8/23/2013

4.9k views

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Get: Get teeth straightened. Easier to care for, therefore less cavities. See qualified orthodontist.

Answered 8/27/2015

4.9k views

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Dr. Zahid Niazi answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Surgery

Sugar: Sugar filled day - may lead to a mouth full of clay. Ceramic fillings.

Answered 8/29/2013

4.9k views

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Eating: Eating less candies, less soda and brushing teeth after eating and use of oral antibiotics may hhelp.

Answered 8/31/2013

4.9k views

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Dr. Peter Karsant answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Low: Low sugar foods, watch junk food, if it has ingredient label look at sugars, brush 5 min& floss daily.

Answered 9/4/2013

4.9k views

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Dr. Uttma Dham answered

Specializes in Dentistry

If: If you like sweets and want to avoid cavities, all you do is brush thoroughly right after eating.

Answered 3/31/2014

4.9k views

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Dr. Marsha Davis answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Brushing: Brushing and flossing twice a day is important, but night time can add 6 yrs to your life.

Answered 2/23/2015

4.9k views

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Dr. Zahid Niazi answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Surgery

Daily: Daily flossing and twice daily brushing are keys to avoiding cavities.

Answered 4/3/2016

4.9k views

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Avoid: Avoid heavily acidic foods and candy which can wear away enamel.

Answered 3/16/2014

4.9k views

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Brush: Brush your teeth each day - and don't forget to floss them or your teeth will rot.

Answered 9/18/2013

4.9k views

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Always: Always use a straw when drinking soft drinks and sugary drinks to minimize direct contact with teeth.

Answered 3/1/2016

4.9k views

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Dr. Scott Bobbitt answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Sugar: Sugar and acid, dissolve calcium from teeth, avoid between meals.

Answered 9/25/2013

4.9k views

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Rinse: Rinse your mouth thoroughly after drinking sugary drinks to prevent cavity.

Answered 12/10/2013

4.8k views

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Dr. Michael Wexler answered

Specializes in Cosmetic Dentistry

Proper: Proper brushing/flossing at least 2x/day and drink water instead of acidic ; sugary drinks.

Answered 3/19/2014

4.8k views

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Ignore: A good toothbrush and flouride toothpaste.

Answered 11/16/2013

4.7k views

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Dr. Robert Devin answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Ignore: Don't nimble food, don't sip soda all day long. Give yourself a 2 hour break between snacks and meals.

Answered 4/24/2015

4.7k views

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Dr. Dennis Higginbotham answered

Specializes in American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Ignore: Flossing in addition to brushing is the most effective way to prevent cavities.

Answered 9/29/2016

4.7k views

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Dr. Marsha Davis answered

Specializes in Internal Medicine

Ignore: Brushing and flossing at least twice a day is the best detest ant to cavities.

Answered 12/3/2013

4.7k views

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Dr. Daniel Rubenstein answered

Specializes in Dentistry

Ignore: Brush, floss, avoid sticky sugar. Go to bed with clean teeth.

Answered 1/24/2014

4.5k views

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Dr. Martin Fried answered

Specializes in Nutrition

Ignore: Drink water instead of sugar drinks. Even if the drink is a fruit juice, water is better.

Answered 1/28/2014

4.5k views

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Dr. Martin Fried answered

Specializes in Nutrition

Ignore: Floss daily brush your teeth after meals visit dentist for checkup as scheduled.

Answered 1/31/2014

4.5k views

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Ignore: Be true to your teeth or they will be false to you brush and floss daily.

Answered 2/1/2014

4.5k views

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Ignore: Brush and floss teeth at least twice a day, use a Fluoride mouthwash and avoid sticky , sugary foods.

Answered 6/25/2014

4.5k views

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Ignore: Brush all teeth daily Please Floss all teeth daily, rinse Please Avoid sugar.

Answered 5/21/2014

4.1k views

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Ignore: Avoid cavities: Never forget to floss, and Brush teeth twice daily.

Answered 12/21/2014

3.4k views

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Dr. Zachary Veres answered

Specializes in Family Medicine

Ignore: If you want no cavities. Make sure to brush your teeth And floss.

Answered 3/12/2015

3.1k views

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Ignore: Brushing your teeth every day will keep the germs away.

Answered 5/6/2015

2.9k views

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