Your teeth are covered with a sticky film of bacterial called plaque. Some of the biggest culprits causing plaque are foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates, including soda beverages, some juices, candy and many kinds of pasta, breads and cereals.

Following a meal or snack, the bacterial release acids that attack tooth enamel. Repeated attacks can cause the enamel to break down, eventually resulting in cavities. Plaque also can attack fillings and other restorations in your mouth, which can lead to more costly treatment down the road.

Plaque that is not removed with thorough daily brushing and cleaning between teeth can eventually harden into calculus or tartar. Brushing and cleaning between teeth become more difficult when tartar collects above the gum line. The gum tissue can become swollen or may bleed. This is called gingivitis, the early stage of periodontal (gum) disease.

Preventing Decay:

• Brush your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.
• Clean between teeth daily with floss or an interdental cleaner.
• Eat a balanced diet and limit between-meal snacks.
• Visit our office regularly for professional cleanings and oral exams.
• Ask dentist about dental sealants, a protective plastic coating that can be applied to the chewing surfaces of the back teeth where decay often starts.