Sweets
The main point to remember is that it is not the amount of sugar you eat or drink, but how often you do it. Sweet foods are allowed, but it is important just to have them at mealtimes. The more frequently you have something sugary during the day, the more attacks you get on your teeth -resulting in a higher rate of tooth decay.
To help reduce tooth decay, cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks and try to have sugar-free varieties. Sweets and chewing gum containing the artificial sweetener Xylitol may help to reduce tooth decay as this artificial sweetener is thought to inhibit the growth of bacteria. Sugary foods can also cause a range of health problems including heart disease and being overweight.
DRINKS
Still water and milk are good choices. It is better for your teeth if you drink fruit juices just at meal times. If you are drinking them between meals, try diluting them with water. They are full of sugar.
Diluted sugar-free fruit drinks are the safest alternative to water and milk. If you make these, be sure that the drink is diluted 1 part fruit drink to 10 parts water. Some soft drinks contain artificial sweeteners that are not suitable for young children.
Fizzy drinks can increase the risk of dental problems. The sugar can cause decay and the acid in both normal and diet drinks can dissolve the enamel on the teeth. The risk is higher when you have these drinks between meals.
Decay will affect your appearance and smile. Pain will eventually follow, then infection, then possible swelling and abscess. Then you may need a root filling or extraction. Without treatment it could mean septicaemia and death in extreme cases. This used to happen before dentistry, but cost of treatment is causing it to happen again in the UK and abroad. Toothache does not go away – something has caused it and it will get worse unfortunately.



TOOTHPASTES
•      Adults should use a toothpaste that contains at least 1,350 parts per million (ppm) fluoride.
•      Children don't need to use special "children's toothpaste". Children of all ages can use family toothpaste, as long as it contains 1,350-1,500ppm fluoride. Children aged six and under who don't have tooth decay can use a lower-strength children's toothpaste, but make sure it contains at least 1,000ppm fluoride. It is important that children DO NOT SWALLOW toothpaste as too much fluoride can cause internal staining of teeth whilst they are growing.
•      Below the age of three, children should use just a smear of toothpaste. Children aged three to six years should use a pea-sized blob of toothpaste. Make sure children don't lick or eat toothpaste from the tube.

Fluoride is the main thing that has reduced the rate of decay since it was introduced in toothpaste. It is the best thing to stop decay. When you brush your teeth, spit out the excess and do not rinse the toothpaste away.
Sodium fluoride – Is in most toothpastes as sodium monofluorophosphate.
Stannous fluoride – is in some of the Oral B toothpastes. This is considered excellent for the prevention of decay, although it is not new, it has only recently been developed so it can be used in toothpaste. Not for children under 11.
Fluoride makes the teeth less susceptible to demineralisation by plaque acids so help to prevent decay.
Other toothpastes such as Pronamel are supposed to help combat acid erosion, Sensodyne with Pro-argin helps with sensitivity. (See sensitivity in a later post).

MOUTH RINSES
There have been studies to determine whether or not mouth washes containing alcohol might cause mouth cancer with daily use. This had led to Alcohol Free mouthwashes becoming available. In the UK these are labelled as ‘AF’. I recommend that if you wish to use a mouthwash that you choose an alcohol free version, check the ingredients on the label before you buy it. Look for alcohol or ethanol. I use specific mouth washes for specific reasons. Not normally just for a daily cleaning routine.
Some mouthwashes combat gum conditions and some are for prevention tooth decay, some claim to do both. They should never be relied upon, brushing and cleaning between the teeth is the most important thing to do to keep your mouth healthy. Bacteria cannot be washed away, mouthwashes dilute it but do not remove it, and some ingredients disrupt the growth of bacteria.