Cavities and Tooth Decay
Saved by a Straw?

Americans drink more than 575 soft drinks on average every year – about one and a half cans a day for everyone in the United States. Drinking these beverages places those who may not follow proper oral hygiene techniques at a higher risk for cavities and other oral health problems. Drinking soft drinks and other beverages through a properly positioned straw can help to minimize the risk of cavities.

Cavities and Tooth Decay
Gum Chewers Have a Reason to Smile

In the eighties, artificial sweeteners in blue and pink packets, diet soda and sugar-free gum set the standard as "healthy" alternatives to their sugar-laden parent products. Today, there's another sweetener called xylitol touting sweet-as-sugar taste that is low in calories, and studies show it may help reduce and prevent cavities. Xylitol was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1986 as a food additive and is now appearing in sugar-free gum, mints and toothpaste. Learn how it can help your teeth!

Cavities and Tooth Decay
What is Baby Bottle Tooth Decay?

Baby bottle tooth decay is caused by frequent and long-term exposure of a child's teeth to liquids containing sugars. Among these liquids are milk, formula, fruit juice, and other sweetened drinks. The sugars in these liquids pool around the infant's teeth and gums, feeding the bacteria in plaque. Every time a child consumes a sugary liquid, acid produced by these bacteria attack the teeth and gums. After numerous attacks, tooth decay can begin - find out what you can do.

FAQs: Tooth Decay

Tooth decay, also known as caries or cavities, is an oral disease that affects many people. Natural bacteria live in your mouth and form plaque. The plaque interacts with deposits left on your teeth from sugary and starchy foods and produces acids. These acids damage tooth enamel over time by dissolving, or demineralizing enamel, which weakens  the teeth and leads to tooth decay. Tooth decay is not life threatening and is highly preventable - discover how.