We all know that sugary junk food isn’t going to do us any favors for our waistlines, but eating lots of sugar will also rot your teeth and lead to tooth decay. At Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry, we will ensure your teeth feel healthy and can give you strategies to prevent tooth decay.

Let us break it down for you: sugar that lives in the mouth gets devoured by bacteria which create acids that break down your tooth enamel. This leads not only to decay but to other problems, including gingivitis.

Because we live in such a fast-paced culture, it’s common to neglect a balanced diet in favor of an unhealthy one made up of convenient foods with high-sugar content. It is obvious that this type of lifestyle is detrimental to not only people’s oral health, but to their overall well-being.

Experts say that because we live in such a stressful society, fast food is a quick and easy fix for most people.

So what can you do to prevent tooth decay and lead a healthy lifestyle? Staying away from fast food and foods high in sugar is the obvious answer, but there are other things you can do as well.

Ways to Keep Tooth Decay At Bay:

• Brush your teeth at least two times per day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. It is better if you brush after eating and before you go to sleep.
• Floss your teeth with dental floss or interdental cleaners.
• Check with a dentist at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry about using supplemental fluoride, a product which can make your teeth stronger.
• Ask us about dental sealants, so we can stop your teeth from decaying.
• Drinking water is important, and drinking fluoridated water every day will help protect your children’s teeth from decaying.

Be sure to book an appointment with an oral health expert at Coquitlam General and Sedation Dentistry for your regular dental check-up.

In our continuous series of the best “ways to prevent cavities”, Coquitlam General & Sedation Dentistry outlines why vending machines are causing more and more cavities in children and adults.

“Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring…”

Vending machines are quick, easy and cheap. Put in some of your extra pocket cash and instantly enjoy a chocolate bar, chip bag, or even a can of pop. That’s not the only thing you’re getting for cheap, vending machines are not only giving out sugar-filled treats; they are also giving out cavities!

When you choose to satisfy your hunger with a chocolate bar or bag of candy, the bacteria in your mouth starts digesting sugar, quickly turning it into acid. This harmful chemical stays on your teeth and begins to eat away at the natural enamel (the material that protects your smile from tooth decay). When enamel gets eaten, you get a cavity!

So what are some helpful ways to prevent cavities from occurring? Always remember to brush your teeth after eating any sugar-filled treat. If you don’t have a chance to brush, don’t even think about treating yourself!

Instead of this cavity-causing, sugar-filled, junk food, consider the following alternatives that will not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but limit cavities from occurring:

• Bread
• Sliced meat
• Milk
• Raw veggies and fruit
• Nuts and seeds

Subscribe to our blog for more helpful ways to prevent cavities, or contact the friendly team at Coquitlam General & Sedation Dentistry to learn more about what causes cavities.