Cavity Prevention

Most of the time cavities are due to a diet high in sugary foods and a lack of brushing.

Limiting sugar intake and brushing regularly, of course, can help. The longer it takes your child to chew their food, the longer the residue stays on their teeth and the greater the chances of getting cavities.

Every time someone eats, an acid reaction occurs inside their mouth as the bacteria digest the sugars. This reaction lasts approximately 20 minutes. During this time the acid environment can destroy the tooth structure, eventually leading to cavities.

Consistency of a person's saliva also makes a difference as thinner saliva breaks up and washes away food more quickly. When a person eats diets high in carbohydrates and sugars, they tend to have thicker saliva, which in turn produces more of the acid-producing bacteria that causes cavities.  We have an in office saliva test to evaluate the consistency and chemistry of your child’s saliva to determine if it is functioning properly.

Some tips for cavity prevention:

• Limit frequency of meals and snacks.
• Encourage brushing, flossing, and rinsing.
• Watch what you drink.
• Avoid sticky foods.
• Make treats part of meals.
• Choose nutritious snacks.
• Use Xylitol containing products such as toothpaste, mints, and gum.

Xylitol

Xylitol is a naturally occurring sugar alcohol found in fruit, vegetables and nuts. It is safe for children of all ages. Xylitol helps improve dental health by:

• Stimulating the production of saliva, which washes the teeth.
• Neutralizing harmful acid produced by bacteria (lactic acid).
• Reducing dental plaque-the first stage of cavity development.
• Cavity causing bacteria consume xylitol and cannot stick to the teeth and are washed out of the mouth easily.
• Facilitates the remineralization of tooth enamel, preventing cavity formation.
• Available in gum, mints, toothpaste, and a mouth rinse that are available in a variety of flavors that kids love!

What Is Fluoride?

Fluoride helps make teeth strong and prevents tooth decay. If the water where you live does not have enough fluoride, your doctor may prescribe fluoride supplements (fluoride drops or pills). You would give these drops or pills every day, starting when your child is about six months old. Only give as much as the directions say to use because too much fluoride can cause spots on your child's teeth. Also, be sure to call your local water authority and ask if your water is fluoridated. If it is, tell your dentist or pediatrician so that your child is not being over fluoridated. Children should take these drops or pills until they are 12 to 16 years old (or until you move to an area with fluoride in the water).