We love sweets and goodies too! When we enjoy the occasional sweet snack, we remember a few things to help keep our teeth healthy:
Dental cavities are caused
by a scientific process that happens right in our own mouth – really! Our mouth always contains bacteria which
forms a film on our teeth called “Plaque”
- this is not a prize, but actually becomes a harmful foe when it
combines with sugars or starches from foods
to produce acids that destroy tooth enamel and cause tooth decay. Candy is one of the foods that fuels the
plaque bacteria, but even bread and milk can be used by these nasty germs to
complete their science experiment on your teeth!
- Did you know that saliva is a hero? Our own saliva contains minerals that slow down this process and help fight tooth decay. It works constantly to build a supply of helpful minerals. We can help! By drinking fluoridated water and brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, this helps provide reinforcement for the minerals that saliva needs.
- Not only does what we eat
matter, WHEN we eat is part of the deal.
Saliva can’t fight the bacteria if we sip sodas and snack all day on
sugary or starchy foods. Even diet sodas
contribute to acid levels! If you are
having candy or a soda, enjoy these with a meal to give your saliva time to
rebuild itself between meals.
- Clean Teeth really do
win! By brushing and flossing 2-3 times
a day, we can help keep the bacteria levels down in our mouth to reduce the
formation of dental plaque.
- Fluoride is a mineral that becomes part of the winning team and helps fight off acid attacks on teeth. For very young children (under age 4), be sure to ask your pediatrician or Dr. Booth about the best way to give fluoride, it should not be swallowed. For the rest of us kids, fluoride toothpaste and dental fluoride treatments at regular cleaning visits can help too.
So be a WINNER! Keep those teeth shiny clean and don’t let your mouth be a science project for evil tooth acids!
General Dentist Dr. Doug Booth and the Cosmetic DentalCenter of Huntsville Team want all kids to have healthy, happy smiles. Please Contact Us if you have questions about
your child’s dental health, we are glad to help!
