Data for Parents of School-Historic period Children
Y'all probably know that a dental cavity is a pigsty in a tooth. But did you know that a cavity is the result of the tooth disuse process that happens over fourth dimension? Did you know that you can interrupt and even reverse this process to avoid a cavity?
This web page explains how the molar decay process starts and how information technology tin can be stopped or even reversed to continue your kid from getting cavities.
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What's inside our mouths?
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Our mouths are full of bacteria. Hundreds of unlike types live on our teeth, gums, tongue and other places in our mouths. Some bacteria are helpful. Simply some tin can exist harmful such as those that play a function in the tooth decay process.
Molar decay is the result of an infection with certain types of bacteria that apply sugars in food to brand acids. Over fourth dimension, these acids can make a cavity in the molar.
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What goes on within our mouths all mean solar day?
Throughout the day, a tug of war takes place within our mouths.
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On i squad are dental plaque–sticky, colorless film of bacteria–plus foods and drinks that contain carbohydrate or starch (such equally milk, bread, cookies, candy, soda, juice, and many others). Whenever we eat or potable something that contains sugar or starch, the leaner employ them to produce acids. These acids begin to eat away at the tooth'due south difficult outer surface, or enamel.
On the other team are the minerals in our saliva (such as calcium and phosphate) plus fluoride from toothpaste, water, and other sources. This squad helps enamel repair itself by replacing minerals lost during an "acid attack."
Our teeth become through this natural procedure of losing minerals and regaining minerals all day long.
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How does a crenel develop?
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When a tooth is exposed to acid frequently -- for instance, if you eat or drink often, especially foods or drinks containing carbohydrate and starches -- the repeated cycles of acrid attacks cause the enamel to go on to lose minerals. A white spot may appear where minerals have been lost. This is a sign of early on decay.
Tooth disuse can be stopped or reversed at this bespeak. Enamel tin repair itself by using minerals from saliva, and fluoride from toothpaste or other sources.
But if the tooth decay process continues, more minerals are lost. Over fourth dimension, the enamel is weakened and destroyed, forming a cavity. A cavity is permanent damage that a dentist has to repair with a filling.
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How can we assist teeth win the tug of state of war and avert a cavity?
Utilize fluoride
Fluoride is a mineral that tin can prevent molar decay from progressing. It can even reverse, or cease, early tooth disuse.
Fluoride works to protect teeth. It . . .
prevents mineral loss in molar enamel and replaces lost minerals
reduces the ability of bacteria to brand acid
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Yous can get fluoride by:
Drinking fluoridated water from a community water supply; about 74 percent of Americans served past a community water supply system receive fluoridated h2o. (If you lot have well water, see "Private Well Water and Fluoride" from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)
Brushing with a fluoride toothpaste
If the dentist thinks your child needs more fluoride, he or she may -
Utilize a fluoride gel or varnish to molar surfaces
Prescribe fluoride tablets
Recommend using a fluoride mouth rinse
About Bottled Water
Most bottled water does not incorporate enough fluoride to forestall molar decay. If your child drinks just bottled water, talk with a dentist or doctor well-nigh whether your child needs additional fluoride in the form of a tablet, varnish, or gel.
Continue an eye on how often your kid eats, as well every bit what she eats.
Your child's diet is important in preventing a cavity. Remember . . . every time we swallow or drink something that contains sugar or starches, bacteria in our oral fissure apply the saccharide and starch to produce acids. These acids begin to consume away at the tooth'southward enamel.
Our saliva tin can help fight off this acid attack. But if we eat frequently throughout the solar day -- specially foods and drinks containing carbohydrate and starches -- the repeated acid attacks will win the tug of war, causing the tooth to lose minerals and eventually develop a cavity.
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That's why it's of import to keep an eye on how ofttimes your children eat as well as what they eat.
Tooth-friendly tips:
Limit between-repast snacks. This reduces the number of acid attacks on teeth and gives teeth a adventure to repair themselves.
Save processed, cookies, soda, and other sugary drinks for special occasions.
Limit fruit juice. Follow the Daily Juice Recommendations from the American University of Pediatrics.
Brand certain your child doesn't eat or drink anything with sugar in it subsequently bedtime tooth brushing. Saliva flow decreases during slumber. Without enough saliva, teeth are less able to repair themselves after an acid attack.
Brand certain your kid brushes
Brushing with fluoride toothpaste two times each day is of import for preventing cavities.
Be certain to supervise young children when they brush. Here's what yous should know:
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For children anile iii to 6, you put the toothpaste on the brush. Use but a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste. (In children under age two, dental experts recommend that y'all do not use fluoride toothpaste unless a dr. or dentist tells you to.)
Encourage your child to spit out the toothpaste rather than swallow information technology. Children under vi tend to eat much of the toothpaste on their
Mild fluorosis brush. If children regularly swallow college-than-recommended amounts of fluoride during the teeth-forming years, their permanent teeth may develop white lines or flecks called dental fluorosis. Fluorosis is ordinarily mild; in many cases, only a dental professional would discover it.
Until they are 7 or 8 years old, you will need to aid your child brush. Young children cannot get their teeth clean past themselves. Try brushing your child'south teeth first, then permit them stop.
Talk to a dentist well-nigh sealants
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Dental sealants are another good way to help avert a cavity. Sealants are thin, plastic coatings painted onto the chewing surfaces of the back teeth, or molars. Here's why sealants are helpful: The chewing surfaces of back teeth are rough and uneven because they accept minor pits and grooves. Nutrient and bacteria can get stuck in the pits and grooves and stay there a long fourth dimension because toothbrush bristles can't easily brush them away. Sealants cover these surfaces and course a bulwark that protects teeth and prevents food and bacteria from getting trapped there.
Since about cavities in children and adolescents develop in the molars (the back teeth), information technology's all-time to go these teeth sealed as soon as they come in:
The kickoff permanent molars chosen - "6 year molars" - come up in between the ages of five and 7.
The second permanent molars - "12 twelvemonth molars" - come in when a child is between eleven and 14 years quondam.
Accept your child to the dentist for regular cheque-ups
Visit a dentist regularly for cleanings and an examination. During the visit the dentist or hygienist will:
Remove dental plaque
Check for any areas of early on tooth decay
Evidence y'all and your child how to thoroughly clean the teeth
Utilise a fluoride gel or varnish, if necessary
Schedule your side by side regular bank check-up
NIDCR would like to thank Dr. Margherita Fontana, an good in cariology at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, for scientific review of this cloth.
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