Observer Online | Balanced Diet, Dental Visits Prevent Tooth Decay

Edition of Feb. 8, 2008

Balanced Diet, Dental Visits Prevent Tooth Decay

By Jackie Allder

Observer Staff Writer

When it comes to good dental health, some of the best practices are learned at home, according to the Virginia Dental Association.

"It really is so dependent on the attitude of the parent," said Dr. Terry Dickinson, executive director of the Virginia Dental Association. "If you can start those habits early, it will pay off in a lifetime free of dental pain."

Throughout February, the American Dental Association and its chapters are celebrating National Children's Dental Health Month, encouraging children to eat a balanced diet with few sugary snacks, brush and floss each day and visit the dentist regularly.

"Oral health is really a critical component of overall total body health," said Dr. Dickinson. He said the best way to prevent children from having tooth decay is by encouraging them to maintain good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily and maintaining a healthy diet.

"That combination is a secret, so to speak, for not having a dental disease down the road," he said.

Dickinson, who practiced dentistry for 30 years before beginning at the VDA about eight years ago, said he recognizes that encouraging those habits is not the easiest thing to do. "The challenge comes in getting people to change habits," he said. "It's just a constant struggle."

One of the more difficult areas to address is diet, especially with vending machines stocked full of sodas and other sweets at local schools. However, Dickinson said, children do not have to remove all sugars or refined carbohydrates from their diets. "I mean, I'm not going to," he said jovially, explaining that he cleans his teeth very meticulously and limits his exposure to such treats. "It's not how much; it's how often," he said.

Dickinson said many school districts have recognized that fact and are limiting access to vending machines, usually only running them during lunch. "You're never going to be able to sell carrots out of those machines—they're never going to buy them—but that would certainly be better," he said.

Tooth decay, also known as cavities and caries, occurs when foods containing carbohydrates are frequently left on the teeth. "Bacteria that live in the mouth thrive on these foods, producing acids as a result. Over a period of time, these acids destroy tooth enamel, resulting in tooth decay," according to the ADA Web site. Frequent brushing prevents such sugars from staying on the teeth and in turn lowers the risk of tooth decay.

He recommended that children brush their teeth at least twice per day and parents should help with brushing at least once daily. He said that in his practice he found many children enjoyed using electronic toothbrushes and the products are often geared toward children with princess and superhero themes. In addition, parents should help their children floss their teeth. "Once the teeth start touching, then that's when you need to floss," Dickinson said.