Does feeding babies with milk through out the night help teeth get stronger?

No, infact the sugar content of milk will promote decay. These children develop a rampant form of dental caries involving several teeth in the mouth. This form of caries is called nursing bottle caries. Nursing bottle caries is usually associated with prolonged bottle feeding of sugar containing drinks such as milk and juices. They may occur due to bottle-feeding at bedtime or during sleep and lack of cleansing of the teeth thereafter.

Nursing caries can also occur due to prolonged on demand breast feeding at night due to lactose sugar present in the milk.

This form of dental decay affects many teeth and may be seen as marked discoloration of the teeth. In later stages the teeth may fracture. The child often experiences pain on brushing and eating cold or hot food substances.

Is it true that raw vegetables & fibrous food lower the chances of decay.

Refined form of food easily sticks in and around the teeth and enhance formation of dental plaque whereas eating fibrous food helps in cleansing the teeth during chewing. Decay is more frequently seen in urban people who eat more refined foods and hence is known as a of disease of modern civilization.

Does diet help in prevention of decay?

Yes, a balanced diet of essential proteins, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins keeps the mouth healthier. Reduction of refined food, specially sweet and sticky food, and eating fruits and vegetables and other fibrous food have a big role in reducing decay.

Is it true that fluoride prevents decay?

Yes, studies have shown that fluorides can prevent decay by up to 50% if they are supplemented and monitored in water, food and tooth paste. In addition the patient should maintain good oral hygiene.

How does fluoride prevent decay?

Fluorides have the ability to get incorporated into the tooth structure and make the teeth more resistant to dental decay. The use of fluorides may even arrest progression of caries which are in the initial stages. Fluoride when consumed during formation of teeth gets incorporated in the tooth structure and makes the enamel stronger. It also has an anti -bacterial effect on several germs that cause decay and makes dental plaque difficult to attach to the tooth.

What are the different forms of fluoride available for prevention of decay?

Fluoride when added in drinking water (in one part per million parts of water) helps prevent caries in the entire population of a particular region. This has been tried in many cities around the world with great success. Fluorides are also available in tablet form, varnishes, filling materials, food products like salt and toothpastes. However, except tooth pastes all other forms need to be consulted and monitored by the dentist before consumption.

What are protective coats/varnish that help to prevent decay?

Application of fluoride gels and varnish by the dentist can make the teeth more resistant to decay. However, this application does not last for long time and hence it has to be applied frequently.

What are pit and fissure sealants?

In some children the grinding surface of teeth tend to have very deep pits and grooves which predispose to stagnation of food and microbes. Such teeth can be treated with appropriate sealants to reduce their depth. These are called pit and fissure sealants.

Is it true that some type of chewing gums help prevent decay?

Yes, only sugar free chewing gums containing xylitol has shown promising results in reducing decay, while others that contain sugar do not help.