What causes cavities?

[Sourgrl]

So you would think I would know about this since I am always making sure my kids eat healthy and brush their teeth everyday. But I am afraid to say I am clueless as to what actually causes cavities. I know sugar is the main problem but how about cakes, ice cream, anything chocolate, cookies and sweets? My dentist said soda will cause cavities. I guess the acid does. Or any sugary drinks. Some of my teeth got bad during my last 2 pregnancys as I ate sweets and chocolate ALOT. I ended up with a root canal. I blamed the pregnancy on my root canal but I think it was my BAD eating habits!!

[the_lissa]

Did you mean to post this in the dental forum?

[4evermom]

I have noticed that if I eat foods with a low glycemic index (things that don't cause blood sugar levels to spike), my teeth are much less plaquey. This fits with eating low sugar but goes beyond just sugar. Some foods, like white potatoes and pretzels, with a high GI, raise your blood sugar level much more than actually eating straight sugar.

If you go to www.prevention.com and do a search on low GI diets, a ton of info will show up. The great thing about switching your higher GI food choices to ones with a lower GI is that you'll be hungry less often, loose weight if you need to, and prevent diabetes.

[Sourgrl]

Originally Posted by the_lissa

Did you mean to post this in the dental forum?

Oops! I didn't know there was one here! Maybe someone will move my post?

[the_lissa]

Here you go:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...play.php?f=308

A mod can move this there if you want.

[Rach]

Some of the bacterias in our mouths feed on sugars and starches. This forms an acid that begins to eat away at the enamel on our teeth, causing it to decay.
Pretty much any sugars or starches (including ANY food items that happen to contain them as well) can cause decay, it will just depend on the bacterias that feed off sugars. Brushing and flossing multiple times daily help minimize the amount of foods that get left behind, which can minimize the acidity/plaque that builds up.

[MoonStarFalling]

It's not the food that gets left behind imo it's improper diet. A healthy body (fed on a proper diet) won't let it's teeth decay regardless of what food gets left on the teeth. If your body is healthy your saliva will clean your teeth naturally. If you find a wild animal and look at their teeth they will be very healthy despite the animal never having it's teeth brushed.