Tooth decay is something that is not to be taken lightly. Because of tooth decay, many people have lost their teeth early on in life and have needed to get teeth implants or dentures in order to live a normal, productive life. While there is little information about how this infectious disease is transmitted, we do know that some people may be predisposed to getting the disease.
Tips to Help Prevent Tooth Decay:
- Fluoride Toothpaste: It’s important that you use full strength fluoride toothpaste to help counteract the negative effects that sugars have on your teeth. You can also use fluoride mouthwash if you don’t like the taste of fluoride toothpaste.
- Beware of Hidden Sugars: Sugars like fructose, glucose, and sucrose are found in most of the foods we eat. Look out for foods that are high in these sugars, especially things like fruit juices and soft drinks. Carbohydrates are also sugars so make sure to read those labels to become aware if you are at a higher risk to develop tooth decay.
- Fruits: Fruits contain a lot of sugars and some are very acidic. While they are healthy alternatives to junk foods, you want to limit the amounts of fruit you eat and if you do eat a lot of fruits try to snack on something non-acidic like cheese afterwards. Snacks like raw vegetables and nuts are good alternatives as well.