What causes tooth decay in children?

What causes tooth decay in children?

Tooth decay may happen if your child’s teeth are frequently exposed, for long periods of time to ‘sticky’ foods or liquids that contain sugars. Sugar exposure is detrimental to teeth. It provides food for the bacteria that cause cavities and increases the acid levels in your mouth. An increase in acidity of the mouth leads to tooth decay. As it is unavoidable for children and adults to indulge in Halloween treats, a crucial thing to remember is the length of time and frequency that your teeth are exposed to sugar. It is best to eat sugary foods like a dessert immediately after a meal and to finish the Halloween candy within a short amount of time instead of saving it for weeks. This limits the number of sugary acid attacks your teeth are exposed to. Also, remember to brush and floss and drink lots of water to clear the sugars from your mouth.

About Heather Cooper

I am a Dental Hygiene Practitioner with over 25 years of experience and the owner and primary dental hygienist at Harbour City Dental Hygiene.
This entry was posted in Oral Health Facts. Bookmark the permalink.