Easter and Tooth Decay

Easter means more carbohydrate fuelled episodes of acid demineralisation of teeth which leads to 11 million Australians to develop a cavity every year. Tooth decay is our most common disease and children need to learn the skills to prevent and to reverse this demineralisation every day for a healthy life head first. All cavities occur from acid demineralisation that exceeds saliva, fluoride or other remineralisation like Recaldent, where carbohydrate rich food like sugar confection is left on tooth surfaces with resident plaque bacteria. While a drop of food dye on teeth helps show most plaque bacteria can be seen at gum margins of accessible tooth surfaces and most food is left trapped between teeth, over 80% of cavities occur inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces where brushing cannot reach while saliva and fluoride toothpaste have no access to neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth like on other more accessible surfaces. While chewing sugarless gum after eating is helpful, gum does not absorb or expel saliva. Chewing fibre like celery after eating forces saliva inside trapped food to dilute carbohydrate like sugar, neutralise acid and remineralise demineralised tooth. Brushing with fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day morning and night is important to protect accessible tooth surfaces, but cannot reach inside pits and fissures on chewing surfaces so it is very important to chew toothpaste before brushing but HOW?? If you agree, contact your local member to request that health ministers initiate an evidence based Oral Health Promotion Reform project like SupertoothNDK with Good Food Friends. www.supertoothndk.org