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Unexpected Cavities
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By Dr. Alon Grosman,
lmost daily, we have a child come into our office with many more cavities than anticipated. In some instances, they are “regulars” coming in for their 6 month checks and everyone present attests to their daily brushing ritual. Still, in a relatively short period of time, these cavities have formed between the teeth. To understand this situation better, it is helpful to look at the underlying causes of cavities. In order to form a dental cavity, there are certain ingredients that are a must. First of all, cavity-causing bacteria must be present. The most notable of these bacteria are the Streptococcus Mutans. Although the thought of bacteria entering the mouth is an unsavory one, it is a fact of life. In fact, these bacteria make a home in our mouth at a very early age and are usually transmitted unintentionally by a child’s caregiver (i.e. when blowing on a hot spoon during feeding time). The bacteria colonize on our teeth and form a plaque. They use sugars we ingest to increase the size of the plaque. Biproducts from these colonies are acidic. This decrease in pH begins the process of breakdown of the tooth’s outer layer, the enamel. Once this shell is accessed, the bacteria can start to travel through the tooth. Therefore, the main players are bacteria, sugar, and acidity. We recommend brushing and flossing to reduce the quantities of bacteria and remove sugars left behind after meals. Fluoride can be used to strengthen the enamel. Xylitol products are showing some promising data in the ability to limit the effectiveness of the bacteria. Still, a person who brushes/flosses and goes to the dentist for cleanings and fluoride application can still have cavities depending on the intake of certain foods and liquids. As it turns out, consumption of sugar is not the only advantage that our diet provides the bacteria. Many of the foods and beverages we are consuming are acidic and therefore lower the overall pH in the mouth speeding the process of cavity making. For example, diet soda may have no simple sugars useful to the bacteria, but the carbonation creates a very acidic oral environment. Studies have shown that many of the popular sports drinks are more acidic than batteries used for small appliances. After a little digging, we usually find out that the unexpected cavities are preceded by the intake of acidic beverages. The bad news is that our modern diet is full of sugary acidic foods. Our children’s heroes promote them in every marketing medium. Our office philosophy is not to deny our children their treats but rather to modify eating habits and limit the periods of exposure to certain foods. For example, a child who drinks a sports drink after practice should do so at one sitting rather than doing so throughout the day. We recommend rinsing with water after consuming acidic drinks as it is very effective at balancing pH. If hard candy is eaten, brushing should be done. Sugary snacks should be eaten with meals. Snacks eaten between meals should be of a healthier variety, like fruits veggies and granola. The idea is to be creative rather than restrictive. Happy eating!
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If you are READY to change to a HEALTHY lifestyle
Drs. Maria and Alon Grosman are Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and Orthodontist. Their office is located at 4401 S Flamingo Rd on the NW corner of Griffin and Flamingo Rd. For more information or to schedule an appointment call 954-236-3434.
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