Dental Decay in AdolescentsDental Decay in AdolescentsVeronika Stiles, RDHVeronika Stiles, RDH

University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan

Pre-TestPre-Test

• Now is a Pre-Test of your dental knowledge Now is a Pre-Test of your dental knowledge timetime

• You will have 10 minutes to answer 10 “?”You will have 10 minutes to answer 10 “?”• Whomever gets 9/10 and/or 10/10 will get Whomever gets 9/10 and/or 10/10 will get

a prize a prize

What is Dental Decay?What is Dental Decay?

• Disease processDisease process• Makes enamel soft and cavity proneMakes enamel soft and cavity prone• Compare: Which one would you rather be?Compare: Which one would you rather be?

What does dental decay look like?What does dental decay look like?

• On your front teeth: On your front teeth:

• In between your teeth: In between your teeth:

• Abscess from untreated decay:Abscess from untreated decay:

• See your dental care team regularly!See your dental care team regularly!

What factors are involved in dental decay?What factors are involved in dental decay?

• Food or beverages consumedFood or beverages consumed• Bacteria in plaque Bacteria in plaque • Your teeth and mouthYour teeth and mouth

Your DietYour Diet• Discussion timeDiscussion time• Tell me about your snacking routineTell me about your snacking routine• Tell me which snacks are good for your teeth…Tell me which snacks are good for your teeth…• Why?Why?• Tell me which snacks are bad for your teeth…Tell me which snacks are bad for your teeth…• Why?Why?

Importance of Your DietImportance of Your Diet

• Every time you eat, there is an acid attack Every time you eat, there is an acid attack • Especially if you consume: Especially if you consume: • Many sticky foods (e.g., candy)…Many sticky foods (e.g., candy)…• Much pop and/or juices…Much pop and/or juices…• Sport drinks (e.g., Gatorade)…Sport drinks (e.g., Gatorade)…• Every time you eat these foods you bathe Every time you eat these foods you bathe

your teeth in sugar and acid--your teeth in sugar and acid--cavities cavities

Soft Drinks Soft Drinks

• Leading source of added sugar in dietLeading source of added sugar in diet• Children and teenagers are main consumersChildren and teenagers are main consumers• On any given day, 73% of boys drink pop;On any given day, 73% of boys drink pop;62% of girls drink pop62% of girls drink pop• Beverages account for 21% of average daily Beverages account for 21% of average daily

total energy intake total energy intake

Why Is Pop So Dangerous?Why Is Pop So Dangerous?

• 20-oz can of soda contains:20-oz can of soda contains:16 teaspoons of sugar16 teaspoons of sugar250 calories250 calories91 mg of caffeine91 mg of caffeinepH of 3 or lowerpH of 3 or lower

Pop and AcidPop and Acid

• Most soda beverages are very acidicMost soda beverages are very acidic• 2.5 pH-cola drinks;2.5 pH-cola drinks;• 2.8 pH-iced tea and sports drinks;2.8 pH-iced tea and sports drinks;• 3.2 pH-non-cola drinks;3.2 pH-non-cola drinks;• 3.3 pH-for energy drinks3.3 pH-for energy drinks• Compare this with neutral pH of water- 7.0pHCompare this with neutral pH of water- 7.0pH• Normal pH for oral cavity is 6.5-7.4 pHNormal pH for oral cavity is 6.5-7.4 pH• Cavities start at 5.5 pHCavities start at 5.5 pH

Interesting FactInteresting Fact

• Calories added to the typical diet without Calories added to the typical diet without increase in physical activity can lead to a increase in physical activity can lead to a weight gain of 15 pounds per year with a weight gain of 15 pounds per year with a single 12-oz can ingested dailysingle 12-oz can ingested daily

Discussion TimeDiscussion Time

Basic Rules for Pop DrinkingBasic Rules for Pop Drinking

• Always use a straw to divert it from teethAlways use a straw to divert it from teeth• Don’t sip on your drink!Don’t sip on your drink!• Consume pop only during meal timeConsume pop only during meal time• Buy soda in a can:Buy soda in a can:-Loses its fizz quickly-Loses its fizz quickly-Less portable-Less portable-Less likely to be finished---Less likely to be finished-- fewer cavities! fewer cavities! • Carry a bottle of water at all the times. Why?Carry a bottle of water at all the times. Why?

Which Foods Are Healthy for You and Which Foods Are Healthy for You and Your Teeth?Your Teeth?

• Game time!!!Game time!!!• There are foods in this bagThere are foods in this bag• I wish to show you an itemI wish to show you an item• On a piece of paper, put On a piece of paper, put • ““G”-good for my teethG”-good for my teeth• ““B”-bad for my teeth B”-bad for my teeth

What Can I Do to Improve My Diet?What Can I Do to Improve My Diet?

• Always eat a good breakfast Always eat a good breakfast • Be selective with your snacksBe selective with your snacks• Brush your teeth frequently, especially if you Brush your teeth frequently, especially if you

just had a sugary snackjust had a sugary snack• Always carry a bottle of water with youAlways carry a bottle of water with you• If brushing is not possible, rinse your mouth If brushing is not possible, rinse your mouth

out with water following sugar exposure out with water following sugar exposure

Other Important Tips to Remember Other Important Tips to Remember About SnackingAbout Snacking

• The frequency of snacking The frequency of snacking

• ? For all of you: ? For all of you:

• What do you think is more harmful to your What do you think is more harmful to your teeth: frequent small juice sips throughout the teeth: frequent small juice sips throughout the day or a bottle of juice all at once? Why?day or a bottle of juice all at once? Why?

Bacteria in Plaque Bacteria in Plaque

• Also contributes to dental decayAlso contributes to dental decay

• Brush at least twice a day to remove itBrush at least twice a day to remove it

• Preferably, brush after each mealPreferably, brush after each meal

• Floss before you go to bedFloss before you go to bed

Fluoride UseFluoride Use

• Use fluoride rinse after you brush and flossUse fluoride rinse after you brush and floss• ““ACT” is a great fluoride rinse you can buyACT” is a great fluoride rinse you can buy• Sources of fluoride:Sources of fluoride: • Fluoride helps to prevent mineral loss from Fluoride helps to prevent mineral loss from

the tooth the tooth • Using fluoride is one of the most effective Using fluoride is one of the most effective

ways to prevent tooth decayways to prevent tooth decay

Your Teeth and MouthYour Teeth and Mouth

• The way your teeth are shaped and formedThe way your teeth are shaped and formed• Deep grooves and pits are more decay proneDeep grooves and pits are more decay prone• Amount of salivaAmount of saliva• Saliva has very important buffering propertiesSaliva has very important buffering properties• Oral health habitsOral health habits• Frequency of dental check-ups Frequency of dental check-ups

Decay-Free Smile is in Your HandsDecay-Free Smile is in Your Hands

• Dental decay is a preventable diseaseDental decay is a preventable disease

• Having the knowledge, it’s up to you to Having the knowledge, it’s up to you to prevent it!prevent it!

• Decay-free smile is in your hands! Decay-free smile is in your hands!

Dental Check-upsDental Check-ups

• Remember to maintain regular check-upsRemember to maintain regular check-ups