Important Dental Fact of a Child

Important Dental Facts
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When a child is five to six years old, the back tooth on each side (upper and lower) is a permanent tooth. This is the first permanent tooth the child gets. These four teeth are often mistaken for baby teeth. Baby teeth are very important. They help the permanent teeth come in properly. They also hold the space for the permanent teeth.

Toothpaste is not as important as brushing. Brush with water if no toothpaste is available. It is important to remove the film which is called dental plaque, that accumulates on the teeth every day.

Food Guide

What is Plaque and why does it cause Cavities?

Whatever food and drinks we consume throughoutthe day, do not end up in our stomachs.  Some of these little food particles get embeded in our teeth and gums.  These elements combine with bacteria present in the mouth and produce a sticky kind of film on the teeth - this is called plaque.  Plaque is often found on the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, an area a toothbrush does not easily reach.   Even flossing is sometimes ineffective.  If plaque is not removed regularly from the teeth, it can produce acids which attack the tooth enamel and create cavities in the tooth.  This leads to tooth decay.

The other way of explaining and preventing plaque is :

It is known that bacteria in dental plaque uses the nutrients in sugary type foods to produce acids. (Dental plaque is discussed in chapter 5, “Oral Pathology,” and in Dental Technician, Volume 2, chapter 3, “Preventive Dentistry.“) Foods that contain carbohydrates (high sugar content) are referred to as being cariogenic (conducive to the production of dental caries). Dental caries may start when poor oral hygiene is present. The decay process begins when dental plaque and the acid produced from cariogen foods are left on the teeth for extended periods. Eventually, the acid demineralizes or breaks down enamel and dentin. To reduce the possibility of dental decay, you should limit the ingestion of sweets to mealtime, and brush and floss thoroughly after meals. Some of the less cariogenic snack foods include fruits and vegetables. However, the least cariogenic snack foods are limited to skim milk, sugar free gum, sugarless soft drinks, sugarless gelatins, and a few others. Ideally, caries may be avoided by properly brushing and flossing right after eating.

The Foods that one need to avoid

Avoid anything that is soft, sweet, and sticky.  Foods such as cakes, chocolates and dry fruits - in fact, anything that clings to your teeth and initiates tooth decay should be avoided in large quantitites.   A better option would be foods such as nuts, raw vegetables, plain yogurt, cheese, popcorn and sugarless gum or candy.  Develop sensible eating habits and you will be eating for a long, long time.

The Right kind of foods for better Oral Health

The same kind of food that gives us good general health, also gives us good oral health.  Ideally, you need to choose foods from the four basic food groups: fruits and vegetables, breads and cereals, milk and dairy products, and meat, fish and eggs.

One's Diet Affect One's Dental health

Yes, it does.   Just like what you eat affects your general health, it also affects the general condition of your teeth.  A diet lacking in certain nutrients, may aggravate gum diseases.   And that, is usually the major cause of tooth loss in adults.   A healthy balanced diet will ensure a happy smile not just from you but also from your dentist.