Pick Better Parents
Research has proven unequivocally that a healthy diet, a regular regimen of good oral health habits, and fluoride supplements all contribute to reducing the chances of tooth decay. What has come to bear in the last few years is that another factor may also play a part in the resistance to cavities. That factor is heredity.
Unfortunately it is difficult to prove that genetic traits are associated with resistance to tooth. Research studies have shown that some ethnic groups have thicker tooth enamel and that factor would help guard against penetration of the enamel by the bacteria that case tooth decay. If you are doing “everything” right and are still getting cavities, it well may be that your parent’s genes are at fault. Since we don’t pick our parents, brushing and flossing are our best defense against getting tooth decay. On the flip side, even really great genes will not prevent tooth decay if aren’t practicing good oral hygiene.
Which gets us back to facts that research has proven. Fluoride supplements bind to your tooth enamel, making the outer surface of your teeth more resistant to decay, by keeping out the bacteria that cause cavities.
Good eating habits have been proven to have a positive effect on reducing the number of cavities. When you eat sweets, the acid which produced can, within minutes, cause damage to your teeth Starchy foods take a little longer to do their damage. Studies also seem to indicate that chewing sugarless gum help prevent tooth decay. When chewed immediately after eating sugar or starch, the amount of the acids which are produced decrease. The increase in production of saliva while chewing gum acts as a defense against cavity-causing bacteria. The down-sides of chewing are that some sugar substitutes used to make the gum may give some people stomach aches. We also know that chewing gum puts stress on dental restorations and appliances. It is for this reason, that it’s best to consult your dentist before you choose chewing sugarless gum for cavity prevention.