Hey, kids! It’s important to have a beautiful smile! Your smile is really special, and it is one of the things that makes you different from everybody else. Just like no two people have the same fingerprints, there is nobody else who smiles just like you. You probably know that there are things you should do to protect your teeth. Mom and Dad probably make you brush your teeth a couple of times a day. They probably don’t let you have all the candy you want, either. Do you know why? When you learn more about how cavities form and how to protect your teeth, you can keep your beautiful smile for a long time to come.
What Causes Cavities?
When you eat a lot of sugar, do you ever feel really silly and happy? That is because sugar gives you energy. However, the energy wears off quickly, and you might feel really sleepy or grumpy. Well, sugar gives energy to icky bacteria, too. Bacteria love sugar. The more sugar you eat, the more bacteria will show up in your mouth. Sugar and bacteria also work together to make acid. Then the acid will start to wear away your dental enamel. Enamel is the hard shell on the outside of your tooth. It makes your tooth shiny and sparkly. Even more importantly, it protects the inside of your tooth where all of your important nerves are. When the acid gets past the enamel, it will form a cavity in the deeper layers of your tooth. You might even get a really bad toothache.
Do You Know How to Take Care of Your Beautiful Smile?
Even though all of this could sound scary, it is actually really easy to take care of your teeth. Follow these tips to protect your beautiful smile.
- Brush your teeth! There is a reason Mom and Dad make you brush your teeth. Brushing helps remove all that yucky bacteria from your mouth. You should brush at least two times a day, especially after you eat and before you go to bed.
- Floss your teeth! When you floss, it helps get rid of bacteria and little bits of food between your teeth. You should floss at least one a day.
- Eat less sugar! This does not mean that you can never have candy or cookies again. However, it is important to eat a balanced diet. Try to eat more fruits and veggies. Instead of soda or juice, choose water. Water does not have any sugar, and it will help wash away bacteria.
- Visit the dentist! You should visit the dentist at least two times every year. We can clean your teeth and take away any bacteria that you may have missed.
ABOUT YOUR SOUTHLAKE FAMILY DENTISTS:
As a native Texan, Gregory Wright, DDS, opened his private practice in Southlake, TX in 1992. He and Dr. Victoria Heron are happily accepting new patients from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Trophy Club, Colleyville, and all surrounding communities. To learn more, call our office today at (817) 481-7999.
