Do you know what the most common disease in children is? Did you know that the disease is dental caries, also known as cavities? Did you know that the same disease is very common in adults?
Obviously, there are things you can do to prevent this problem. You’ve probably heard that you should brush and floss your teeth every day and that you should visit your dentist every six months. But have you ever wondered if there is anything else you can do to protect your smile? If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to fight off tooth decay, please feel free to read on.
Exposing your teeth to fluoride is one thing you can do to protect your smile. Fluoride replaces important minerals and can fight and reverse decay. Usually, the effects of fluoride can be enjoyed just by drinking water (a safe amount of water is in most sources of drinking water). However, you can have toothpaste with fluoride in it or a dentist can provide a treatment.
Another thing you can do to save your teeth from decay is reduce the amount of sugar you eat each day. While sugar itself does not cause tooth decay—that would be bacteria—it does aggravate the bacteria. It is especially important to avoid sugary drinks (such as juice) between meals.
Finally, your dentist can provide your child with an extra layer of defense in the form of sealants. This is a thin layer that a dentist can paint over your tooth to block food and plaque out of hard to reach places. However, please remember that having sealants does not replace the need brushing and flossing.
If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to protect your smile, please feel free to contact us soon. We are excited to hear from you.