Did you know tooth decay is the most chronic disease of childhood? It’s five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever! 

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), dental caries (cavities) is a common chronic condition that causes pain and disability across all age groups. If left untreated, it can lead to pain and infection and tooth loss.

And tooth decay can be more than just a pain in your mouth. The pain can keep you from getting a good night’s sleep, eating properly or even paying attention in school! It’s hard to focus on a tough math problem when your mouth hurts. Tooth decay can also lead to more severe problems such as tooth loss or infection. 

How can you avoid tooth decay and the problems it causes? Follow these tips to help maintain a healthy, pain-free smile:

• Follow the 1-2-3s of good daily oral hygiene: Floss once a day, brush twice a day and eat three balanced meals a day. Limit between-meal snacks.
• Eat treats with meals. Saliva production increases during meals washing out food particles and helping to neutralize cavity causing plaque acid.
• Limit the amount of soft drinks and other sugary, acidic beverages you drink. Drink fluoridated water if you are thirsty. Optimally fluoridated water has been shown to reduce cavities from 20 to 40 percent.It’s better for you and helps prevent decay.
• Consider chewing ADA Accepted sugarless gum after meals. Certain sugarless gums have earned the ADA Seal of Acceptance for scientifically proving that chewing the gum for 20 minutes after meals helped prevent tooth decay.
• Visit your dentist for regular cleanings and exams.
• Replace your toothbrush every three to four months or sooner if the bristles become frayed.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention and American Dental Association