By supporting daily care of teeth and gums you help a person to keep their mouth and body healthy.
By encouraging healthy food and drink choices, you can help someone reduce their risk of tooth decay.
Regular check-ups are important not just for any necessary treatment, but also get advice and support to help prevent oral disease.
A process of damage to tooth surface(s) over time which can eventually result in a cavity (hole) in the tooth.
Everybody has lots of different bacteria (‘germs’) in their mouth. Most don’t do any harm, but when given the right conditions, some can cause tooth decay.
These bacteria turn sugars from food and drinks into acid, which damages the enamel (tooth surface).
Minerals in saliva and fluoride (found in toothpaste and most of Victoria’s public drinking water) help to repair damage to the tooth surface.
But over time, if there is more damage than repair, a hole forms.
As well as sugar, acid found in foods and drinks (eg fizzy drinks and ‘sports’ drinks) can also damage the tooth surface and contribute to tooth decay.
If you support someone to care for their mouth:
| Look for the signs of tooth decay | Reduce risk by providing support to |
|---|---|
| Holes in teeth | Limit sugary foods and drinks, especially between meals |
| Brown or discoloured teeth | Brush teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice a day |
| Bad breath | Drink tap water |
| Pain | Have regular dental check-ups |
| Sensitive teeth | Ask if any medications used reduce saliva (dry mouth); discuss with an oral health professional |
| Difficulty eating | Make a dental appointment if you think there may be a problem |
| Changes in behaviour; including grabbing, punching or pulling at mouth and jaws | Make a dental appointment if you think there may be a problem |
If you need a snack, try to choose a tooth-friendly one
Sugary or highly processed snacks are most likely to contribute to tooth decay. Cheese, plain yoghurt, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds are good options for teeth and more likely to fill you up.
