Good Diet and Healthy TeethThe teeth, bones and soft tissue of the mouth require a healthy, well-balanced diet. A variety of foods from the five food groups helps minimize (and avoid) cavities and other dental problems. Most snacks that children eat cause cavities, so children should only receive healthy foods like vegetables, low fat yogurt and cheese, all of which promote strong teeth. Tooth Decay Prevention Tooth decay is a progressive disease resulting from the interaction of bacteria that naturally occur on the teeth and sugars in the normal diet. Sugar causes a reaction in the bacteria, causing it to produce acids that break down the minerals in teeth, forming a cavity. Dentists remove the decay and fill the tooth using a variety of fillings, restoring the tooth to a healthy state. Nerve damage can result from severe decay and may require a crown (a crown is like a large filling that can cap a tooth, making it stronger or covering it). Avoid unnecessary decay by strict adherence to a dental hygiene regimen: brushing and flossing twice a day, regular dental checkups, healthy diet and fluoride treatment. Practicing good hygiene promotes healthy teeth and avoids costly treatment. Preventing Baby Bottle Tooth Decay Tooth decay in infants can be minimized or totally prevented by not allowing sleeping infants to breast or bottle-feed. Infants that need a bottle to comfortably fall asleep should be given a water-filled bottle or a pacifier. Our office is dedicated to fighting baby bottle tooth decay. Let us know if you notice any signs of decay or anything unusual in your child's mouth. |
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