Dental techs offer tips for improving dental health

Published Oct. 21, 2016
By By Senior Airman Mikayla Dunne and Staff Sgt. Brooke Mortensen
81st Dental Squadron

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- October is Dental Hygiene Month, so to ensure you’re getting the most out of your daily oral hygiene routine, here are a few facts to remember.

One reason to brush and floss daily is to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is caused by the bacteria in plaque which is a clear, sticky, acidic substance that forms on your teeth and gums within seconds of eating. If not properly removed twice daily, plaque will turn into hard calculus that can only be removed by a dental professional. The acidic plaque causes enamel, the outer layer of the tooth, to break down and become soft, creating a cavity in the tooth.

Dental professionals recommend brushing twice daily. It is important to brush and floss before going to sleep, because bacteria left in the mouth can multiply 30 times overnight. Saliva is a natural cleanser of food and debris. It assists in fighting against bacteria throughout the day, but when we sleep, significantly less saliva is produced than when we are awake. The amount of saliva produced while sleeping is typically not enough to act as a cleanser. This means there is a higher risk of tooth decay if plaque is not removed prior to sleep.

Sugar is the largest contributor to tooth decay. How much sugar is safe to consume? According to the American Heart Association, the maximum amount of sugar that should be consumed for men and women is:
Men: 37.5 grams or 9 teaspoons
Women: 25 grams or 6 teaspoons

Fruit might seem like a healthy choice, but some can contain large amounts of sugar. When purchasing fruit consider this; fruits that are low in sugar include blackberries, cranberries and lemons. However, be careful with the amount of lemons you consume, because they are highly acidic and wear away the enamel. Fruits high in sugar are cherries, grapes, bananas and mangoes. The fruits that fall in-between low and high sugar content are strawberries, watermelon, peaches and blueberries.

Here are a few pointers to assist you in the fight against tooth decay. If you prefer sugary drinks such as sodas, sport drinks and juice, try to limit their consumption to mealtime. Continuously sipping throughout the day is the worst way to satisfy the craving. You should drink plenty of water, since it helps prevent tooth decay by cleansing the mouth. In addition, some water sources contain fluoride which strengthens enamel.

So remember, it’s important to brush twice a day and floss at least once daily. Brushing only cleans 60 percent of the tooth surface, you clean the other 40 percent by flossing.