Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette A tooth cavity can be very painful. The dentist can take care of it for you so that it will not hurt anymore but the process of getting it cleaned out and filled can also be pretty uncomfortable. There are several steps you can take to make sure that you have a white smile, a healthy mouth, and that your teeth are cavity free! You still need to visit your dentist every six months for a regular check up to make sure your teeth are growing right but at least your dentist will not need to use the drill. l You probably already guessed; sugar can be your teeth's worst enemy! That is partly true but if you are careful about brushing, you can still enjoy a small amount of sweets. l Sweet, sugary drinks can be worse than sweet foods because the drinks bathe your teeth in sugar and can even get between the teeth. For a healthy mouth and body, children should not drink soft drinks at all and not even fruit juices unless they are freshly squeezed. The best drink is pure, clear water or milk. l The types of foods that are sticky like gummy bears, jelly beans, and marshmallows are also not healthy, because when they stick to the teeth, the sugar remains in the mouth for a longer time causing the bacteria to break down and form a harmful acid. l Each time you eat a sugary food, the acids made by the bacteria stay in your mouth for 20 minutes. So the best way to fight cavities is to brush after every meal and snack, before going to bed, and as soon as you wake up in the morning. l There are times when you are away from your home at a restaurant or the mall or at your friend's house or at school, and you cannot brush your teeth. To keep your teeth clean at all times, every time you eat you should at least swish some water in your mouth over your teeth. l Teeth are actually bones and just like all the bones in your body, they need calcium to stay strong and healthy and to grow. Be sure to eat foods that are high in calcium every day, such as milk, yogurt, cheese, eggs, sardines, shrimp, tofu, almonds, broccoli, and beans.
