What Is Tooth Decay?
 When you look at your teeth in the mirror, what do you see there? Check closely - do they have any chalky spots around the gumline? If you see yellow, brown, or black spots on any of your teeth, it's time to see your dentist right away! This is the very beginning of tooth decay. Tooth decay is when the bacteria in your mouth decide they're going to eat all of the food you left on your teeth and excrete acid that melts the hard part of your tooth. If they get down deep enough, they start eating the living part of your tooth. It hurts, a lot. You want to know a little secret, however? It is so easy to keep that bacteria from ever snacking on your teeth. Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City is here to help you stop tooth decay from ever happening!
How Can I Kill Tooth-Eating Bacteria?
The first thing you need to do is look at what you are putting in your mouth. Did you eat a bowl of cereal today? What kind of juice did you have with your breakfast? Both cereal and juice are very sweet, which means they are full of sugar. Sugar just so happens to be bacteria's favorite food. If you've ever rubbed your teeth with your tongue and it felt kind of fuzzy, that was the bacteria, going to work eating your leftovers. Sugar isn't just in cereal and juice; it's in nearly everything you eat, and bacteria just love it. There are some excellent ways to keep them away, however.
You Need to Brush!
One of the best ways to keep your teeth from growing fur is to have a good toothbrush. Soft bristles are a good way to go because it won't hurt your gums so much when you brush. Yes, the manual ones work well, but the ones with motors are so much more awesome! Plus, they do a better job at cleaning off all the junk anyways. It is a good idea that you brush after breakfast in the morning and then give it a good scrub before you go to bed. If you eat something sweet in the middle of the day and want to get rid of the fuzz, find a cloth and give it a quick rub, then rinse with water and spit it out. You don't want that in your mouth.
Don't Forget to Floss
Also, flossing helps get the food out from between your teeth. If you've ever had corn-on-the-cob, you know what we're talking about. They have little picks now that you can carry around if you want which is so much easier to use than winding it around your fingers. Because you are getting the food out from between your teeth, there is less food for bacteria to snack on, so you have less to worry about while having a good time being awesome!
If you see any of those chalky spots and are worried, or you just want to learn more about how to take care of your teeth, call Great Grins for KIDS - Oregon City at 971-470-0045. We look forward to helping you keep your teeth safe from the evils of bacteria! |
