Preventative
Dentistry
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay is caused by micro-organisms (bacteria) which convert
the food we eat into acid. This acid removes valuable calcium out of the
tooth's hard outer shell, eventually causing a hole or cavity in the tooth. The cavity allows bacteria to inhabit the tooth and continue to burrow deeper towards the nerve. If left untreated, a cavity can cause
toothache, resulting in the need for root canal treatment or even removal
of the tooth if it is no longer restorable. Bacteria can also attack fillings and other restorations in your mouth, which can lead to more costly treatment down the road.
The bacteria get their first hold on the tooth in the form of plaque. This colorless, sticky film blankets your teeth as soon as you eat, and is analogous to the slime found at the bottom of your pet’s water bowl. Because of its sticky nature it can be difficult to remove, but disruption of this film is imperative to preventing bacteria from beginning the demineralization process. Some of the worst foods for causing plaque are those rich in sugar and carbohydrates, including soda beverages, some juices, candy and many kinds of pasta, breads and cereals.
Plaque can also cause gum and bone disease (“periodontal disease”). Chronic exposure of your gums
to plaque can cause them to become irritated, inflamed, and in some cases,
to bleed. Eventually, the plaque can harden into a state called “calculus” or tartar. This
material binds onto the teeth, is hard, and cannot be brushed off. It acts like barnacles on the side of a ship,
hiding new plaque underneath the ledges. The outcome can be a
slow
destruction of the gum and bone tissue around the teeth, and may result in pain, hypersensitivity and increased bleeding.
Simple Preventative Measures
- Brushing
- Flossing
- Rinsing
- Nutrition
The two best defenses against tooth decay and gum disease are a healthy, well-balanced diet and good oral hygiene. This includes eating foods that do not contribute to the decay process, as well as employing techniques, such as daily brushing, flossing and rinsing, which will disrupt the plaque.
Fluoridated toothpastes should be used in conjunction with
brushing to help replace some of the calcium destroyed by bacteria. Most public drinking water contains fluoride, but if you are unsure
about your water supply, then use a good quality mouth rinse containing fluoride.
Chewing sugarless gum is an effective way to protect your oral health between brushings. It helps stimulate your body's production of saliva,
which rinses decay-causing food particles and debris from
your mouth and contains a powerful chemical that actually neutralizes plaque formation.
If a person’s cavity forming rate is above normal, more substantial intervention
may be required, in the form of prescribed anti-cavity rinses or special anti-cavity sealants to help fight decay.
 Brushing Tips
How long you spend brushing your teeth is as critical as how often you brush your teeth.
Here are some brushing tips that may be helpful for you:
- Use short, circular motions and brush at a 45-degree angle.
- Brush all surfaces of your
teeth, including the sides and chewing surfaces, as well as the lower portions near the gum line. Be sure to include your palate, cheeks and tongue in the scrubbing.
- Many people simply brush for a few seconds, spit, and place the toothbrush back in the cup. It is very important to spend at least
two to three minutes brushing your teeth. This helps to ensure that the brush doesn't miss hard-to-reach or often neglected surfaces.
- Choose toothbrushes with soft, round-headed bristles. Avoid big-headed toothbrushes. Dental associations recommend that you buy a toothbrush with a compact
head, 1" by 1/2", so you can easily reach the small areas of your mouth.
- Gently brush other areas of your mouth, including your gums, tongue and "roof" of your mouth. These can be prime areas for bacteria to hide.
- Some toothbrushes today have wide handles. This helps you control the toothbrush better.
Choose a toothbrush with a handle that is long enough and wide enough for you to handle.
- You should replace your toothbrush at least four times a year - more often if you have been sick.
 Flossing
Flossing is the most neglected preventative measure
available to people, yet it is one of the most important
in your regime. Floss gets where the toothbrush cannot
reach: in the warm, dark, moist spaces between the teeth
where bacteria thrive.
Floss is merely a cord which helps loosen and dislodge the
bacteria and food debris from between the teeth. It also
acts to increase the blood circulation to the gum tissues,
allowing natural healing agents to arrive at the scene of
infection.
Dr. Moore recommends that you practice flossing once a day. The ideal time is at night just before you go to bed, as this is when your mouth tends to dry out and be most susceptible to bacteria. However, anytime of the day is better than never!
Types of Floss
Dental floss comes in a range of thicknesses, materials,
colors and even flavors. As a general rule, the thinner
the floss, the more easily it will glide through the tooth
contacts. Wax is added to some flosses to aid in passing
tight contacts. Also available are teflon tapes and
super-flosses for flossing under bridges. There are even
mechanical flossers which do most of the work for you.
Visit any drug store to see the vast array of tools
available to you.
Flossing Techniques
Try to do the following:
- Dispense about one foot of floss from the container
- Wrap one to two inches of floss around
the middle finger of each hand, and use the floss in between on
your teeth. You can use your forefinger and thumbs to maneuver the floss inside your mouth.
- Press the floss in between two teeth and gently press downward
(or upward if flossing your upper teeth) while moving the floss in a sawing motion horizontally across the width of the contact.
- Once past the contact of
the teeth, pull your hand forward a couple of
millimeters towards the front of your mouth
("wrapping the root") and move the floss up
and down.
- Next, push towards the
back tooth and make the same movement.
- Repeat this procedure for each tooth, using a fresh portion of the floss for each tooth.
If your gums bleed, it will take about
five days of flossing once per day before the bleeding will
no longer occur.
For Those with Special Needs
As mentioned, electric or mechanical flossers are
available if you do not have the dexterity, finger
movement, patience, or tolerance for fingers in their
mouths. Alternatively, you can try tying the floss into a
tiny loop on either end, making it easier to grasp and
control the floss with your fingers.
Flossing Alternatives
While there are alternatives to flossing, they do not come close to being as effective in controlling the effects of plaque. However, there are some people who need a “something is better than nothing” alternative.
The water pick, or irrigator, can be used to debride the
tooth of large particles of food and plaque. A water pick
uses powerful bursts of water to remove food particles and
other debris in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth. Studies
have shown that consistent water pick use can decrease gum
tissue irritation and inflammation, but does not actually
reduce the amount of bacteria present. It is therefore
better as an adjunct to flossing than as a replacement. It
can be ideal for someone with braces where food can get
caught in the brace mechanism.
Antibacterial rinses (over-the-counter and by
prescription) are somewhat effective. Despite claims that
Listerine is as good as flossing, there is no
substantiated scientific evidence to support that claim.
Listerine has been shown to be bacteriocidal (bacteria
killing) but it has limited effect on plaque build-up.
 Fluoride
Fluoride is a naturally occurring chemical that has been
found to fortify the enamel matrix (shell) of teeth, thus
preventing decay. Most Canadian communities have some form
of fluoridation in their water supply. Interestingly, some
communities require their drinking water to be
de-fluoridated, as the fluoride content is too high. Some
private wells may not have fluoride, so it is important to
get your drinking water checked by a qualified water
specialist.
What Is Fluoride?
Fluoride is a safe compound found throughout nature; in
the water we drink and the air we breathe, and in many
kinds of foods.
Why Is Fluoride Important To Teeth?
Used systemically, fluoride can be absorbed into the internal matrix (dentin) and external matrix (enamel) teeth to enhance the strength of the tissue. If fluoride is absorbed while the teeth are in the formative stages, the resulting tooth structure is much more cavity-resistant.
Fluoride can also be taken up into bones, allowing them to become more resistant to fractures.
Topical application of fluoride, such as using fluoride
toothpastes and/or rinses, allows for the process of
"re-mineralization" to occur. This is a process
whereby the fluoride replaces calcium in the enamel matrix
that has been removed by acid. The result is that the
enamel tissue actually repairs itself. However, once a
cavity gets into the dentin matrix a filling must be used
to repair the tooth.
How Do I Get Fluoride?
If your drinking water supply is not fluoridated, you
should consider supplementing with fluoride pills. As the
years have gone by, the level of fluoride supplementation
in drinking water has been decreased as many of our
everyday drinks from the grocery store (apple and orange
juice, club soda, etc.) also contain fluoride.
Professionally applied fluoride comes in the form of
dental varnishes and topical gels that are applied for
prescribed times in the dental office. Also, many of the
new white resin fillings have fluoride impregnated within
the filling material. Once the filling has cured, fluoride
is slowly released around the margins of the filling to
help prevent recurrent decay.
Fluoride Safety
It is generally NOT safe to swallow toothpastes, rinses,
or other products containing topical fluoride. In rare
cases, exposure to high concentrations of fluoride can
result in a relatively harmless condition called fluorosis,
which leaves dark stains on tooth enamel.
 Mouth
Rinses
Mouth rinses do not fall under the category of
"pharmaceuticals", and therefore manufacturers
are not as restricted in what they can claim about their
products. For example, one mouth rinse company has made
the claim that using their product is as good as flossing.
Unfortunately, this is not the case and many people have
been misled.
The bottom line is that some mouth rinses can have
therapeutic benefits; others are only cosmetic in nature.
Some have both attributes.
In general, some therapeutic rinses with fluoride have
been shown to fight cavities, plaque and gingivitis
formation. Others, that can be obtained by prescription
only (eg. Peridex), have been shown to have substantial
clinical effects on gingivitis and periodontitis in the
mouth.
However, other "cosmetic rinses" merely treat
breath odor, reduce bacteria and/or remove food particles
in the mouth. They do nothing to treat periodontal disease
or prevent gingivitis. Look for indication on the label of
the rinse that it is accepted by the Canadian Dental
Association.
Surgery or oral disease sometimes leads to complications
for which a good quality therapeutic rinse is indicated.
Even people who have difficulty brushing (because of
physical difficulties such as arthritis) can benefit from
a good therapeutic mouth rinse.
It is important to note that even rinses that are
indicated to treat plaque or cavities are only moderately
effective. Consistent, regular brushing and flossing with
a fluoride toothpaste is much more effective than rinsing
alone. Therefore rinses should be thought of as an adjunct
to your regular oral health care regime.
Deep pits and fissures in the molar teeth allow bacteria
to hide undetected from the dentist's eye and the
diagnostic capabilities of x-rays. To prevent decay from
starting in these grooves, Dr. Moore uses a technique
called microabrasion. This advanced, state of the art
technique allows for the early diagnosis and treatment of
decay before structural damage is cause to the tooth.
Microabrasion uses a fine stream of sand to grind
microorganisms off the surface of the tooth. Using
cavity-indicating stains, magnification, and intra-oral
photography, bacterial issues can be identified, removed
and sealed out with a preventative resin. These are
white/clear fillings that seal the teeth, while ensuring
that bacteria are not trapped below the surface of the
tooth.
Radiographs
(X-Rays)
Radiographs, also called
X-rays, provide important information about the
condition of your teeth, roots, jaw, and overall facial
bone composition. X-rays can reveal the advanced nature of
periodontal disease, as well as tumors and abscesses.
One of the most important
roles of a dentist is the responsible prescription of
dental radiographs. Dentists must weigh the benefits of
taking radiographs against the potential harm that can be
caused by radiation from any source.
Dr. Moore takes this issue seriously, and has taken steps
to ensure that overall radiation exposure to his patients
is minimized while diagnostic information is maximized. As
of November 1, 2006, all radiographs are now digitized.
The result is a reduction in radiation exposure of up to
80%, while yielding approximately 10 times more diagnostic
information. We still, however, take special care to
ensure that lead aprons are used to prevent exposure to
surrounding areas of the body such as the head, neck and
upper chest.
Kinds of
Radiographs:
There are four
basic kinds of X-rays that Dr. Moore may order:
- Bitewing radiographs are the most conventional kind
of dental X-rays and are used to spot cavities and
decay.
- Periapical radiographs are broad pictures of an
entire tooth structure and are used to spot deep tooth
problems, such as impacted teeth, bone loss, and
abscesses.
- Panoramic radiographs are designed to capture an
entire mouth, and have been used to spot tumors and
cysts, as well as wisdom teeth.
- Cephalometric
radiographs provide a lateral view of the whole skull
and assist Dr. Moore in assessing the relationship of
the skull, and upper and lower jawbones. These are
used primarily in orthodontic diagnostic workups.
Recommendations:
Adults:
Every adult should have:
- A full mouth survey of
radiographs every five to nine years depending on the
state of their teeth, number and size of fillings, and
presence/absence of periodontal disease. A full mouth
survey consists of four bitewing radiographs and
periapical view of root tips of all teeth. This allows
for a complete assessment of the alveolar bone (the
bone that houses the teeth), the overall health of the
tooth nerve, and presence or absence of
cysts/abscesses/tumours. Much of the pathology
identified from full mouth surveys is asymptomatic, so
without the radiographs it is impossible for Dr. Moore
to diagnose problems.
- A panoramic radiograph
once every five to ten years. This allows examination
for cyst/cancer formations in the sinuses, skull bones
and jaw joint, and also allows Dr. Moore to see if you
have any plaque buildup in your carotid arteries (a
sign of atheroschlerosis).
Children:
Prescription of radiographs for children is even more
patient-specific than for adults and is dependant on the
cavity rate, state of physical and dental development,
number and size of previous restorations, and oral hygiene
of the child. Generally, children should have bitewing
radiographs once every one to three years, and a panoramic
radiograph as needed. In children the panoramic radiograph
is used primarily to identify congenitally missing teeth,
and/or to examine the third molars (wisdom teeth).
 Prevention
Tips for Children
Infants
and Baby Bottle Syndrome
Dr. Moore suggests
that first-time parents bring their baby in for a visit to
the dental office during the first six months of age. This
visit is not so much for the child, but more for the
parents.
Too often ill-informed,
well-intending parents make the serious error of allowing
their child to sleep with a bottle in the mouth. Juices,
milk (breast or cow), or other sugary drinks will pool in
the mouth and can cause a severe condition called
"Baby Bottle Syndrome", characterized by severe
destructive decay on all anterior teeth and some posterior
teeth, sometimes with multiple abscesses and resultant
pain. It can also affect the development of the underlying
adult teeth by mottling the enamel and delaying eruption.
The best way to prevent
this syndrome is to avoid giving the child a bottle to
sleep with. If a bottle needs to be used, then only pure
water is acceptable. Also pacifiers, if being used, must
be completely free of any sugary substances, such as honey
or previously-ingested milk. Ensure that the pacifier is
washed with soap and water before giving it to the baby.
Finally, encouraging the child to drink from a cup as soon
as possible will help greatly.
Infants
and Pacifiers/Thumb-sucking
Pacifiers and teething rings are perfectly fine for all
babies under the age of about five years of age. Even with
thumb sucking, Dr. Moore does not get concerned until the
child is about six years of age. After this age, however,
these habits should be discouraged as the development of
the upper jaw and tooth position can be adversely
affected.
Thumb-sucking is a crutch
and we all have them (yes, even adults). Sometimes
overreacting to and/or focusing on a habit will actually
make the child increase the frequency of the habit. Try
not to focus on the issue until Dr. Moore indicates that
intervention is appropriate. Very often, children start
school, see that most other children do not do it, and
stop. The beauty of peer pressure at six years of age!
However, if the habit
continues, strategies such as mittens, ointments and
rubber bands can be of limited use and a source of
frustration. In these cases, an anti-thumbsucking device
can be cemented in the mouth to discourage the child. Once
the habit has discontinued, the appliance is removed. If
you have a concern about your child's thumbsucking habit,
ask Dr. Moore what your best approach should be.
Primary and Permanent Teeth
Every child grows 20 primary teeth, with ten on the top
and ten on the bottom jaws. Normally teeth start to appear
around the age of six months, but first eruption at the
age of 14 months is still considered within the normal
range. By the age of 38 months, most teeth have erupted,
but the later the initial eruption, the later the final
eruption of primary teeth will be.
Primary teeth are also
known as "deciduous teeth" because they are all
replaced by adult teeth. Primary molars are replaced by
adult bicuspids (or premolars), and the adult molars erupt
behind the primary molars. In all there are usually 32
adult teeth, including the wisdom teeth. Sometimes,
however, some adult teeth will be missing - these are
referred to as "congenitally" missing teeth. The
most common missing teeth are the lateral incisors,
followed by the second bicuspids, and then the third
molars (wisdom teeth). A panoramic radiograph is used to
identify this condition around 14 years of age.
Since the deciduous teeth
"reserve" space for their adult counterparts, it
is imperative that the primary teeth be kept healthy.
Premature loss, decay, or abscesses can adversely affect
the adult teeth, resulting in the need for orthodontics
(braces) later in life. If primary teeth become diseased
or do not grow in properly, chances are greater that their
permanent replacements will suffer the same fate.
Brushing
Using wet gauze on
infants' gums is effective in removing plaque from the
tissues. Once teeth erupt, special infant toothbrushes
that fit on the tip of your fingers are handy to clean the
new enamel surfaces. Dr. Moore discourages the use of
fluoride toothpastes at this time, however, as the risk of
ingestion is too great. Use water in lieu of toothpastes.
Once the child turns two years of age, pea-sized dabs of
toothpaste can be used with a regular child toothbrush.
Make sure to encourage your child to spit out as much of
the toothpaste as possible. Ingestion of too much fluoride
can cause a condition called "fluorosis", an
unsightly malformation of enamel. Too much fluoride is as
bad as too little.
Toothaches
Sometimes children
around six years of age complain of toothaches - this may
be the first adult molars erupting behind the primary
teeth. However, sometimes children suffer toothaches
because of a deep cavity that has infected the nerve.
Sometimes they have banged their teeth in the front and
have not told you. In the end, it is up to your dentist to
help you diagnose the problem.
What you can do at home is
try to reduce the pain by giving either acetaminophen or
ibuprofen, and rinsing with a solution of warm water and
table salt. If the pain persists, seek the care of your
dentist. It's always better to be safe than sorry when it
comes to your children!
Emergency
Dentistry
As in any emergency,
staying calm is important! Avoidance and diligence are
often the best means of preventing an emergency - for
example, by ensuring that mouth guards and head protection
are used where appropriate, and by ensuring younger
children do not put foreign objects in the mouth. If an
emergency does present itself, quick thinking can prevent
additional unnecessary damage and costly dental
restoration.
Completely Avulsed
(Knocked- out) Tooth
If a tooth has been knocked out
completely, try the following:
- Rinse the mouth of
any blood or other debris.
- Place the tooth back in
its socket while waiting to see Dr. Moore.
- Hold the dislocated tooth by the crown-not the
root.
- If you cannot get the
tooth back into the socket then place it in a
container of cold milk, saline solution or the
victim's own saliva. This will prevent the root from
drying out, increasing the tooth's chance of survival.
- Place a cold cloth or
compress on the cheek near the injury. This will
reduce swelling.
- Ibuprofen may be used to
reduce swelling and ease pain.
Fractured Tooth
For a fractured tooth, it is best to rinse with warm water
and apply a cold pack or compress. Ibuprofen may be used
to help reduce swelling.
If the tooth fracture is minor and the pulp is not
severely damaged, the tooth can be sanded or, if
necessary, restored by the dentist.
If a child's primary tooth
has been loosened by an injury or an emerging permanent
tooth, try getting the child to gently bite down on an
apple or piece of caramel; in some cases, the tooth will
easily separate from the gum.
Irritation caused by
retainers or braces can sometimes be relieved by placing a
tiny piece of cotton or gauze on the tip of the wire or
other protruding object. If an injury occurs from a piece
of the retainer or braces lodging into a soft tissue,
contact our office immediately and avoid dislodging it
yourself.
Fractured Cusp/Deep Cavity
Causing Pain
If you have broken the side of molar tooth, the
filling within a tooth, or have a deep cavity, you may be
at risk for some severe pain. Application of eugenol-based
adhesives found in drug stores can help to sooth the
nerve, keep food from getting impacted in the area, and
prevent the tongue from getting abraded by the sharp
edges. Eugenol is a medication that is otherwise known as
oil of cloves.
Dentistry
for Women
Women have unique
needs when it comes to their teeth, gums and overall oral
health. Events such as menstruation, pregnancy and
childbirth, breast-feeding and menopause all cause changes
in the body, with some being potentially harmful to the
teeth and gum tissues.
Hormonal fluctuations occurring not only on a monthly
basis, but also during menarche, menopause, pregnancy and
lactation, can cause lesions and ulcers, dry sockets, and
swollen gums. Estrogen, for example, affects the
elasticity of collagen fibers in the body. Fluctuations of
this hormone can affect the collagen in gum tissues
(causing decreased tonicity and tightness to the teeth)
and in the tempero-mandibular jaw joint (resulting in an
increased number of jaw problems). Interestingly, hormone
replacement therapy has been shown to increase the amount
and frequency of gum bleeding and swelling, while the
birth control pill increases the risk of gingival
infection by bacteria.
Some studies indicate that
75% of all patients suffering from facial pain and TMD (tempero-mandibular
jaw joint dysfunction) are women. Men suffer TMD as well,
but women tend to be more symptomatic. Some researchers
believe that this is because of the greater number of
"estrogen receptors" in female musculature,
making women more aware of muscle spasms. Dry-mouth is
also suffered by more women than men.
In the end, having a dentist to assist you in attaining
and maintaining good oral health is an important part of
an oral health care strategy.
 Dentistry
for Seniors
Good
Oral Hygiene
Today, more and
more people still have their teeth into their senior
years. In the western world, having a set of complete
dentures is no longer a sign of distinction. Instead,
people are living longer with fewer dental issues. There
is very good possibility that with great oral care at home
and regular professional dental therapy you, too, can keep
all of your remaining teeth for the rest of your life.
With good oral health comes the added benefit of decreased
risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
and even stroke. Unfortunately, as we age, our saliva
tends to dry up. Saliva acts to protect our teeth from
bacteria and the acids they produce, so ensuring that you
brush, floss, rubber tip, and rinse at least two or three
times each day is critical.
Dexterity
and Arthritis
Age-related
conditions such as arthritis and reduced dexterity often
mean that manipulating a toothbrush or floss becomes more
difficult. Some people find it downright painful to
practice good oral hygiene. The result can be that your
teeth are not getting cleaned as well as they should.
The dental industry has developed mechanical toothbrushes
and flossers to aid in the battle. These devises
essentially do the flossing and brushing for you without
requiring fine motor manipulation with your fingers, hands
and wrists. These devices also tend to remove more plaque
than a regular toothbrush because they vibrate at
ultrasonic speeds. Using a water pick, which uses powerful
bursts of water to remove food particles and other debris
in hard-to-reach areas of your mouth, can also help.
If you can't afford an electric toothbrush and flosser,
try using a small rubber ball attached to the handle of
your toothbrush. The width of the ball will aid you in
grasping the brush. For flossing, the floss can be tied
into a small loop at either end, making it easier to
grasp.
Dental
Issues for Seniors
Dr. Moore focuses
primarily on minimizing four main oral health problems
faced by seniors:
- Gingivitis Gum Disease
Chronic exposure of your gums to
plaque can cause them to become irritated, inflamed,
and in some cases, to bleed. Eventually, the plaque
can harden into a material called "calculus"
or tartar. This material binds onto the teeth, is
hard, and cannot be brushed off. It acts like
barnacles on the side of a ship, hiding new plaque
underneath the ledges. The outcome can be a slow
destruction of the gum tissue around the teeth, and
may result in pain, hypersensitivity and increased
bleeding.
- Periodontal
(bone) Disease
As gum disease continues to fester,
the underlying bone begins to change, slowing
dissolving and decreasing the support around the roots
of teeth. Advancement of this disease can lead to the
premature loss of teeth, sometimes preceded by
spontaneous pain, difficulty in chewing, and
hypersensitivity to cold. Occasionally a periodontal
abscess can form which results in rapid bone loss with
severe pain and swelling.
- Dry Mouth
As we age, our salivary glands
produce less saliva, resulting in a diminished ability
to buffer acids produced by bacteria. Sometimes
prescription medications cause dry mouth as a
side-effect. Whatever the cause, the result is the
same: individuals with dry-mouth have an increased
susceptibility to decay and other oral health
problems. Dentures will not have as much suction and
will therefore be more mobile. Food will not become as
lubricated during chewing, decreasing pre-digestion
enzyme exposure and possibly creating an increased
risk of choking.
- Oral Cancer
Seniors are more susceptible to cancers of the
head and neck - cancers that can be detected by dental
examination. Risk factors such as smoking and alcohol
use, compounded by years of exposure, can increase the
chances of getting an oral cancer. Even heredity plays
a role in cancer susceptibility. Dr. Moore is trained
in the early detection of oral cancer, and performs an
oral cancer screen during every checkup examination.
 Nutrition
and Your Teeth
A well-balanced
diet is one of your best defenses against poor oral
health. Proper amounts of vitamins and minerals, protein,
carbohydrates and good fatty acids allow your body to ward
off infection and disease, including infections in your
gums and on your teeth.
Harmful acids and bacteria are left behind in your mouth
after eating foods high in sugar and carbohydrates.
Problem foods include carbonated beverages, some kinds of
fruit juices, and many kinds of starchy foods like pasta,
bread and cereal. While no clear links have been made
between gum disease and a poor diet, nutrition problems
(including obesity and overeating) can create conditions
that make gum disease easier to contract.
Children's
Nutrition and Teeth
Children should eat foods rich in calcium and other kinds
of minerals, as well as a healthy balance of the essential
food groups like vegetables, fruits, dairy products,
poultry and meat. These foods promote active growth of
young bodies, including bones and teeth. Vitamin
supplements are a good idea, including a fluoride
supplement if you live in a community without fluoridated
water.
Foods to avoid are junk foods with excessive starch and
sugar (potato chips, cookies, crackers, pop, fruit roll
ups, granola bars). Drinks such as Gatorade are
surprisingly damaging to the teeth - in fact, Gatorade is
10 times more destructive to enamel than Coca-Cola. Beware
that some healthy drinks such as milk, orange juice and
apple juice have high sugar content. Drinking too much of
these can contribute to cavity formation.
Adult
Nutrition and Teeth
Eating a healthy diet continues to be important in the
adult years of life, as we need effective immune systems
to ward off diseases. Eating sticky, sugary foods will
contribute to cavity formation and gingivitis. Good oral
hygiene will help combat this situation, but the healthier
the foods you eat, the less of a battle there will be.
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