Science Daily has an interesting article discussing the truth about dental health.
Myth 1: The consequences of poor oral health are restricted to the mouth
Poor nutrition during pregnancy may make the unborn child more likely to have tooth decay later in life.
Myth 2: More sugar means more tooth decay
It isn't the amount of sugar you eat; it is the amount of time that the sugar has contact with the teeth. "Foods such as slowly-dissolving candies and soda are in the mouth for longer periods of time. This increases the amount of time teeth are exposed to the acids formed by oral bacteria from the sugars,"
Myth 3: Losing baby teeth to tooth decay is okay
If baby teeth are lost prematurely, the permanent teeth may erupt malpositioned and require orthodontics later on.
Myth 4: Osteoporosis only affects the spine and hips
Osteoporosis may also lead to tooth loss.
Myth 5: Dentures improve a person's diet
If dentures don't fit well, older adults are apt to eat foods that are easy to chew and low in nutritional quality, such as cakes or pastries.
Myth 6: Dental decay is only a young person's problem
In adults and elders, receding gums can result in root decay (decay along the roots of teeth).
Adults and elders are more likely to have chronic health conditions, like diabetes, which are risk factors for periodontal disease (which begins with an inflammation of the gums and can lead to tooth loss).
I find it quite disturbing that so many young children are having problems with tooth decay. I don’t understand how parents can give their children sugary sweets, soft drinks, and other crap. It’s one thing not to take care of your own health but how can you have so little regard for your child’s health?
