Understanding Tooth Decay
DID YOU KNOW...
- How often we eat, may contribute more to cavities than what we eat.
- Bacteria in our mouth can convert to carbohydrates (bread, pasta, chips, etc.) into sugar!
- Oral bacteria combines with sugar to create acid... and acid on our teeth produces tooth decay!
- It takes at least 20 minutes after eating or drinking for the acid in our moth to return to a non-cavity producing level.
- Frequent snacking keeps acid levels high, creating greater cavity potential.
- Babies who take a nursing bottle to bed fall asleep with the last mouthful of liquid pooled around their upper teeth, bathing their teeth in acid for hours, which causes "nursing bottleb decay".
- Apple and grape juices have natural dietary acids which, if taken frequently, can cause extensive tooth decay. These juices should be diluted 1 : 1 with water... and served in moderation!
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Dr. Priya D. Kothari, DMD, FAGD,
