Diet and decay! How to keep your teeth healthy Published June 19, 2008 By Capt. Paul Smith 60th Dental Squadron TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Dental caries is a transmissible oral disease that results in the breakdown of teeth, generally known as cavities. Sounds scary, doesn't it? The good news about caries is that it is preventable. What causes caries? Bacteria that normally reside in your mouth use foods we eat that are high in carbohydrates and sugar, and produce acids as a by-product. These acids attack the hard outer surface of your teeth -- the enamel -- and over time can start to break it down. This bacteria is also infectious and can spread from person to person, usually in the case of parent to child by kissing or sharing utensils. Plaque is the main reservoir of bacteria in our mouths, so proper oral hygiene and getting rid of this plaque on a daily basis plays an important part in preventing cavities. Diets that are high in refined carbohydrates tend to cause more tooth decay. Examples of these types of foods are sodas, juices, candy, starches like crackers and potato chips and other items that are sticky and sweet. Foods that are hard to get off your teeth tend to hang around longer, which gives the bacteria more time to feed and produce acids. The frequency with which these types of food are eaten also plays a large role in cavity formation. Whenever we eat or drink, the acid level in our mouth rises and it takes roughly 20 minutes for our saliva to naturally buffer our mouths back to a normal pH. When we continually drink sodas or juices or eat snacks, the pH never has a chance to get back to normal and the acidic environment lends itself to tooth decay. What can you do to prevent cavities? Drinking water or brushing after eating helps to eliminate the food or sugar stuck to the teeth and this in turn stops the acid attack. Many soft drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks like Gatorade and other beverages have the added effect of causing erosion due to their high acid content. Water is always to best choice for keeping your teeth healthy, especially fluoridated water. The Travis base water supply is fluoridated at the recommended level. Visit the 60th Dental Squadron's Arthur J. Sachsel Dental Clinic's patient waiting area to view a display showcasing how much sugar is contained in some popular soft drinks. "The display teaches you a formula you can use to figure out the amount of sugar lurking in your favorite drink or food," explained Col. Constance Huff, chief of pediatric dentistry at DGMC. "Use the nutrition label to determine how many grams of sugar are in each serving, then divide the number of grams by four to see how many teaspoons of sugar are present in that item." According to Colonel Huff, a typical 12 ounce can of Coca Cola contains 39 grams of sugar per serving; 39 divided by 4 equals 9.75 teaspoons per can. Once you factor in the acidity of the drink and the likelihood of sipping this drink over a long period of time, the risk of harming your teeth goes up dramatically. Be sure to check the nutrition labels of food you are eating and giving your children. Optional lifestyle changes Natural foods like vegetables and fruit generally are not sticky and will not contain nearly as much sugar as refined snacks. Fruits and veggies also provide a wealth of vitamins and fiber and do not have the potential to lead to ill health effects, such as diabetes, later in life. A well-balanced diet is considered the best for your teeth and overall health. The Health and Wellness Center at the Fitness Center has examples of what good nutrition is. Prevention is always the goal in eliminating disease and dental caries is no different. Isn't it better to eliminate the need for injections and drilling in your mouth if you can just modify your eating habits and hygiene practices? For more information regarding diet, nutrition, and oral hygiene, contact your local dentist by calling the 60th DS at 423-7001. Additionally, below are some Web sites with helpful information about caring for your teeth: American Dental Association: www.ada.org American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry: www.aapd.org Crest (Proctor & Gamble): www.crestkids.com Oral-B (Proctor & Gamble): www.oralbkids.com