Prevention of tooth decay

1.         Avoid  having sugar in the mouth for long periods of time.

2.         Stay away from sucking candies and chewing gum containing sugar, and refrain from drinking soft drinks regularly (unless sugar-free).

3.         Try to cut down on the number of snacks  per day. If snacking is necessary, substitute foods that don’t promote tooth delay. Examples are popcorn, pretzels, fruits, nuts, cheese, and vegetables.

4.         If you must consume sugary foods, do so with a meal or for dessert. Increased  saliva flow during meals helps to wash the food away. Also, many people  brush their after meals. It’s better to eat sweets at a time  and place that allows  you to brush teeth soon afterward. 

Gum disease is extremely common and is often unrecognized because  it rarely causes pain. It is caused by dental plaque and when allowed to progress gum disease  can lead to the teeth becoming loose and eventually falling out. Smokers are far more likely to suffer from gum disease, as are people with diseases such as diabetes.