how to prevent cavities

March is National Nutrition Month, when the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics reminds everyone to return to the basics of healthy eating. It is also the time of year when the Academy celebrates expertise of registered dietitian nutritionists as the food and nutrition experts.

Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated — simply begin to shift to healthier food and beverage choices. These recommendations from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans can help get you started.

Emphasize fruit, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products.
Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts.
Make sure your diet is low in saturated fats, trans fats, salt (sodium) and added sugars.
Make Your Calories Count

Think nutrient-rich rather than “good” or “bad” foods. Tweet this The majority of your food choices should be packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber and other nutrients, and lower in calories. Making smart food choices can help you stay healthy, manage your weight and be physically active.

Focus on Variety

Eat a variety of foods from all the food groups to get the nutrients your body needs. Fruits and vegetables can be fresh, frozen or canned. Eat more dark green vegetables such as leafy greens and broccoli and orange vegetables including carrots and sweet potatoes. Vary your protein choices with more fish, beans and peas. Eat at least 3 ounces of whole-grain cereals, breads, crackers, rice or pasta every day.

Know Your Fats

Look for foods low in saturated fats and trans fats to help reduce your risk of heart disease. Most of the fats you eat should be monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils. Check the Nutrition Facts panel on food labels for total fat and saturated fat.

For more information, view the Academy infographic on the Total Diet Approach to Healthy Eating.

Dental Sealants: A Shield Against Cavities

[caption id="attachment_37" align="alignnone" width="300"] What are Sealants? How do they protect against Cavities?[/caption]

Brushing and flossing daily will allow you to maintain good oral hygiene and avoid the formation of cavities. However, to further diminish the likelihood of tooth decay and the future need for treatments such as crowns and fillings, dentists use sealants. This early cavity prevention technique acts as a protective barrier, shielding enamel (the outer covering of teeth) from acid and plaque, which lead to tooth decay. Now, you may be thinking, “why can’t I simply use fluoride instead of sealants to protect my teeth from decay?” While it is true that fluoride protects our enamel from breaking down, it is more effective in reducing smooth surface cavities as opposed to cavities on the pits and fissures of our teeth, where the majority of cavities develop. These deep grooves are much more difficult to clean with a toothbrush, so sealants provide an extra layer of protection in these specific regions to further hinder cavities.
Studies have shown that kids between the ages of 6 and 11 without dental sealants experience three times more cavities in their first molars than do kids with sealants. Other studies have also provided evidence for sealant placement being cost-effective; it improves outcomes and saves money for patients who typically will avoid the need for future invasive treatments related to cavities. Our office has BPA free sealants as we are committed to providing the safest materials available to our patients.
Sealant placement is especially beneficial for patients who are more vulnerable to experiencing cavities. However, the use of sealants in combination with other primary preventive procedures such as fluoride therapy, plaque control, and dietary/sugar monitoring, have positive outcomes for patients overall.