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Conditions | Decay
Although tooth decay has declined among
young children as a group, it can still be a problem for individual
children, and even teens and adults. That’s because plaque, a sticky
film of bacteria, constantly forms on your teeth. When you eat or drink
foods containing sugars or starches, the bacteria in plaque produce
acids that attack tooth enamel. The stickiness of the plaque keeps these
acids in contact with your teeth and after many such attacks, the enamel
can break down and a cavity forms.
Preventing Decay:
- Brush your teeth
twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
- Clean between teeth
daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
- Eat a balanced diet
and limit between-meal snacks.
- Visit your dentist
regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
- Ask your dentist
about dental sealants,
a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing
surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.
Information provided by the ADA, American
Dental Association,
www.ada.org
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