There are no shortcuts to a healthy mouth. Our Dentists in Eagan MN, understand the importance of consistent habits to prevent tooth decay in children and adults. The dental profession has many standard practices:

• Brushing for 2 minutes in the morning, and in the evening (2 times per day)
• Flossing at least once a day, preferably prior to brushing your teeth in the evening
• Utilizing Fluoride toothpaste for those with a high risk of decay
• Seeing your dentist for regular cleanings
• Limiting the consumption of simple sugars found in beverages, candies, and everyday foods

DID YOU KNOW! ——- Dental caries (tooth decay) remains the most common chronic disease in both children and adults, even though it is largely preventable

Denmark Dental in Eagan, MN: Our Dentists share the main causes of tooth decayPoor Oral Hygiene Habits

The goal of toothbrushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouth wash is to remove debris from food, beverages, and bacteria off of your teeth. Foods and Beverages provide a source of food for the “bad” bacteria we have in our mouth. The food source used by bacteria in your mouth is sugar. If you can successfully and regularly clean your teeth, removing this food source, you deprive the “bad” bacteria in your mouth from creating cavities in your teeth. Developing thorough, consistent habits is step 1 in preventing tooth decay. Our practice in Eagan, MN assists each patient in creating an individualized plan to prevent cavities. We also take the time to demonstrate techniques to increase the effectiveness of your brushing and flossing.

Deep Grooves in Molars

Adult Molars erupt into your child’s mouth around age 6 (1st molars) and age 12 (2nd Molars). The deep grooves on the chewing surfaces of these teeth are one of the first places we see cavities in children. One way to prevent tooth decay in children is by placing a sealant on the molars. By “sealing” or filling in the grooves on the molars with a sealant it is much easier for your child to clean and doesn’t allow a hiding spot for food and bacteria! Though we don’t recommend sealants for every child, we do use them when grooves in teeth are deep or when a child is at high risk for cavities.

Poor Nutrition

Foods and beverages with a high concentration of sugars provide bacteria in our mouths the energy that they need to create cavities in our teeth. Limiting the concentration and frequency of sugary foods and drinks can significantly reduce our chances of tooth decay.

Examples of foods and drinks to avoid:

• Candy
• Soda
• Energy Drinks
• Sticky foods – Caramels, Taffy
• Gum that is not Sugar-Free

Adjusting your diet by limiting the frequency and amount of sugar can increase the chances of keeping your teeth for a lifetime!