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Instructions for At Home Whitening
Your at-home whitening trays are custom made to fit only your teeth. They are made out of a flexible
plastic material which allows them to fit comfortably over your teeth while whitening. The following
guidelines should be followed for best results:
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Brush and floss your teeth before applying gel.
Keep one tube of gel at a time out for use. Keep the others in the refrigerator.
Screw the mixing tip onto a tube of gel.
Place a small dot of whitening gel on the surface of the whitening tray that will contact the front
of your tooth. A little goes a long way! You do not have to apply any to back molars.
Seat the retainers completely onto the teeth.
If any extra material squeezes out onto your gums, wipe off and spit.
Wear trays either twice a day for 15 minutes or once a day for 30 minutes. You can wear them
longer or overnight but the effectiveness diminishes after 30 minutes.
When you take the trays out, brush your teeth thoroughly. Trays should be rinsed thoroughly and
kept in their case until the next use.
Your teeth may become sensitive during the whitening process. If this occurs, it can be helpful to put a
small amount of sensitivity toothpaste (like Sensodyne) in the trays and wear for 30 minutes before/after
whitening. If the sensitivity is very uncomfortable, discontinue whitening for 1 week.
Best whitening results are achieved by using the gel every day for 2 weeks. Then, take a 1 week and
assess the new shade of your teeth. If you would like to whiten more, repeat the process for another 2
weeks. Be aware that excessive whitening can be harmful to your teeth and gums.
Once you have achieved your desired tooth shade, store your trays for future use. Because we all eat
things that can stain/discolor teeth, you may need to “touch up” whiten every 6-12 months. For “touchup” whitening, follow the same steps, but you may only need to do so for 1 week.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
Your Child’s First Dental Procedure
The first trip to the dentist for something other than a cleaning can be a stressful event for a parent,
but it doesn’t have to be for the child. They have no experience of their own at the dentist, and can only
look to you for guidance. If you can avoid transferring dental anxiety to your child, it will be much
quicker and easier for them. Our goals are to get the dentistry done quickly and painlessly and to prevent
adult dental anxiety. Here are some tips to make your child’s appointment go smoothly:
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Refrain from using the scare tactic to get them to brush their teeth. We have a difficult time
managing fearful children when they’ve been warned that if they don’t brush they will have to get
a filling or extraction and “it will hurt!”
In the days prior, it is best not to discuss the appointment at all if possible.
If you discuss the appointment, don’t use negative words—even if you are reassuring them. Do
not say “don’t worry, it won’t hurt.” Never use “hurt, pain, needle, pinch, yank, rip, etc.”, even as
a joke. If your child asks what it will be like, use calming terms like “they will put a band aid on
your boo-boo.” Or, for older children, “It’s no big deal. They just wash the cavity off and put a
pretty white filling in”. Put a positive face on the treatment to help your child see that getting a
filling is a benefit, not a punishment. If they ask detailed questions about the procedure, you can
say you don’t know what we do now because it’s been so long since you were a kid.
Remind your child that it's common. Everyone goes to the dentist, and most people need tooth
fillings at times. You might want to ask someone (especially an older friend or cousin) who's
been to the dentist recently, in front of your child, to talk about how easy it was or how soon it
was over. Testimonials of this type can help to reassure your child that she's not the first person to
have a filling.
Stay in the waiting room if your child is ok with it, or tell them you will go in until they are
settled and then leave. Most kids do fine on their own, but occasionally one may need a little
extra encouragement. Also, try to appear calm and relaxed, even if you are not—kids are quick to
pick up on subtle cues. We will take exceptional care and treat them like they are our own kids.
Dentistry is much different than it was 20 years ago. We use the latest techniques and materials, but
most importantly, we take our time and make kids feel comfortable—we never force them to do anything.
Simply telling a child what we are doing and showing them how we do it can go a long way toward
earning their trust. We want to build a relationship early on that makes dental appointments ‘no big deal’.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
Fluoride in your water
Fluoride has profoundly reduced the incidence of dental decay since the 1950’s and 60’s, when
fluoride toothpaste, mouth rinse, varnish and foam were developed and it was added to city water in many
communities. In fact, public water fluoridation has been listed by the US Centers for Disease Control as
one of the 20th century's top 10 public health achievements. In children and adults, daily exposure to
topical fluoride (from your water, toothpaste, mouth rinse, gels, etc.) prevents harmful oral bacteria from
producing the acid that “eats away” tooth enamel, and re-mineralizes the scarred surface where past
damage has been done. Fluoride can also be built into developing permanent teeth during childhood.
Ingested fluoride (from water and supplemental tablets or drops) enters a child’s bloodstream and is
carried to the “bricklayer” cells that are building an adult tooth. These cells insert the fluoride throughout
the enamel and dentin as it is formed. When the tooth enters the mouth, it has a built-in defense against
bacterial decay.
The levels of fluoride during the period of tooth development should be as closely controlled as
possible because too much fluoride will cause the enamel to have chalky white spots, and in severe cases,
brown spots (which are permanent on adult teeth). Public water supplies have fluoride added at an
optimal level so that children do not need any supplements. Private wells, however, have only naturally
occurring fluoride, which in our area is at levels below the proper dosage. Therefore, we recommend that
you have your water tested and give your child supplemental fluoride (drops or tablets) depending on the
amount of fluoride in your well water.
If you have a private well, you can get your water tested at local water testing labs. Call them for
information about how to submit water samples:
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Phoenix Environmental Labs
Manchester
Uconn Health Center Farmington (860) 679-2805
(860) 645-1102
To receive a water test kit from Uconn, send a check for $20 to:
The Fluoride Service
Pediatric Dentistry, MC 1610
Uconn Health Center
263 Farmington Ave.
Farmington, CT 06030-1610
Bring the results to us or your pediatrician so that the appropriate dosage of supplemental fluoride may be
prescribed for your child.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
Healthy snacking habits
What's wrong with sugary snacks, anyway?
Sugary snacks taste so good — but they aren't so good for your teeth or your body. The candies,
cakes, cookies and other sugary foods that kids love to eat between meals can cause tooth decay. Some
surgary foods have a lot of fat in them, too. Kids who consume sugary snacks eat many different kinds of
sugar every day, including table sugar (sucrose) and corn sweeteners (fructose). Starchy snacks can also
break down into sugars once they're in your mouth.
How do sugars attack your teeth?
Invisible germs called bacteria live in your mouth all the time. Some of these bacteria form a
sticky material called plaque on the surface of the teeth. When you put sugar in your mouth, the bacteria
in the plaque gobble up the sweet stuff and turn it into acids. These acids are powerful enough to dissolve
the hard enamel that covers your teeth. That's how cavities get started. If you don't eat much sugar, the
bacteria can't produce as much of the acid that eats away enamel.
How can I "snack smart" to protect myself from tooth decay?
Before you start munching on a snack, ask yourself what's in the food you've chosen. Is it loaded
with sugar? If it is, think again. Another choice would be better for your teeth. And keep in mind that
certain kinds of sweets can do more damage than others. Gooey or chewy sweets spend more time
sticking to the surface of your teeth. Because sticky snacks stay in your mouth longer than foods that you
quickly chew and swallow, they give your teeth a longer sugar bath.
You should also think about when and how often you eat snacks. Do you nibble on sugary snacks
many times throughout the day, or do you usually just have dessert after dinner? Damaging acids form in
your mouth every time you eat a sugary snack. The acids continue to affect your teeth for at least 20
minutes before they are neutralized and can't do any more harm. So, the more times you eat sugary snacks
during the day, the more often you feed bacteria the fuel they need to cause tooth decay.
If you eat sweets, it's best to eat them as dessert after a main meal instead of several times a day
between meals. Whenever you eat sweets — in any meal or snack — brush your teeth well with a fluoride
toothpaste afterward or at least rinse vigorously with water.
When you're deciding about snacks, think about:
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The number of times a day you eat sugary snacks
How long the sugary food stays in your mouth
The texture of the sugary food (Chewy? Sticky?)
If you snack after school, before bedtime, or other times during the day, choose something without a
lot of sugar or fat. There are lots of tasty, filling snacks that are less harmful to your teeth—and the
rest of your body — than foods loaded with sugars and low in nutritional value. Snack smart!
Low-fat choices like raw vegetables, fresh fruits, or whole-grain crackers or bread are smart choices,
but even fresh fruit in excess can cause decay. Next time you reach for a snack, pick a food from the
list below or make up your own menu of non-sugary, low-fat snack foods from the basic food groups.
How can you snack smart? Be choosy!
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Fresh fruits and raw vegetables
Broccoli and dip
Celery with peanut butter
Carrots and hummus or dip
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Unsweetened fruit and vegetable juices
Canned fruits in natural juices
Whole grain bread
Unsweetened cereals
Unbuttered popcorn
Unsweetened yogurt
Cheese
Cottage cheese
Chicken
Turkey
Sliced meats
Pumpkin seeds
Sunflower seeds
Nuts
Remember to:
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Choose sugary foods less often, and avoid High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) which is now
sometimes called “fructose syrup” or simply “fructose”
Avoid sweets between meals
Eat a variety of low or non-fat foods from the basic groups
Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste after snacks and meals; or at least rinse vigorously with
water
Congratulations, you are now on your way to straighter teeth! This manual answers most of the
frequently asked questions regarding Invisalign treatment. Please take a few minutes to completely read it
through on the day that treatment starts. Understanding these key concepts will make a difference in how
your treatment proceeds. We are always here to answer your questions, and we look forward to working
with you!
22 Hours a Day
The first goal that we set for you is to get used to wearing your aligners. Some people prefer to
begin wearing their aligners full time immediately and others like to begin more slowly. There is no right
way. However, the goal is for you to be wearing your aligners full time (except while eating and brushing)
after the first week. It is very important that you wear your aligners “full time”, or 22 hours per day.
Taking out your aligner for a 4 hour period sets you back 72 hours in progress towards the end goal of
straighter teeth!
General Soreness and Speech
Most people experience some soreness for a day or two after starting each new stage. This is
normal. It is a sign that the aligners are working and moving your teeth to their final destination. On rare
occasions, aligners may temporarily affect your speech slightly. However, as your tongue gets used to
having the aligners in the mouth, any minor disturbance in normal speech caused by the aligners will
disappear within the first week. Most people have no problems with their speech at all.
Before Leaving the Office
There are routine steps that we ask you to take prior to leaving the office after each office visit:
1. Using your finger and tongue, check that your new aligners are comfortable and that they fit
without rocking. We want the aligners to be tight enough so that they do not fall out while
speaking, but loose enough so that they may be taken in and out by you. They should have a
definite “click into place” feel to them. Make sure that you understand how to remove and replace
your aligners correctly.
2. Make sure you understand what you are to do until your next visit. Typically, you will change
your aligners every two weeks, but this my change from person to person.
3. Always schedule your next appointment before leaving the office. Waiting for 2 weeks after an
appointment to schedule your office visit complicates the scheduling process. Postponing
appointments is a common contributor to extended treatment.
4. Make sure that all of your questions about treatment are answered. Treatment goes better when
everyone understands the treatment process.
3MainStreetEllington,CT06029·Phone(860)870-9031·Fax(860)871-2964·www.zahnerdental.com
Eating and Potential Harm to your Aligners
There are no restrictions on what you may eat. However, we recommend that your aligners be
removed while eating and placed into the carry case that was provided to you. Most aligners are lost while
eating in restaurants. Lost and broken appliances cause delays in treatment, extra office visits and
additional expenses. Except for water, we recommend that you do not drink while wearing aligners to
avoid formation of cavities or stains, and warping of the aligners with extremely hot drinks.
Wearing and Using Your Aligners
Aligner Insertion:
1. Make sure you have the correct aligner— upper for top teeth and lower for bottom teeth.
2. To help you avoid confusion each aligner is engraved with your unique case #, a “U” for upper and
“L” for lower, followed by the stage number.
3. You may insert either the upper or lower aligner first. When inserting each aligner, gently push
the aligners over the front teeth. Then, apply equal pressure, using your fingertips, to your left and
right molars (back teeth) until the aligner snaps into place. DO NOT BITE your aligners into
position. This will damage them.
4. Minor discrepancies between the new aligner and the current tooth position are normal since the
teeth need time to conform to the new aligner position. However, if there is a problem with fit, do
not proceed to the next aligner stage until you are seen in our office.
5. Your aligners have been programmed to reduce from 200 grams of force upon first insertion to 40
grams within 48 hours. For ease of removal, we recommend that new stages be placed after the
last evening brushing and not removed until the next morning. By that time the force is down to
100 grams and the aligners will be easier to remove.
Aligner Removal:
1. Using your fingers, start on one side at the molars (back teeth) and slowly work your way around
to the other side.
2. To help prevent damage, avoid unnecessary removal.
3. DO NOT use any sharp object to remove your aligners.
4. Immediately rinse the aligners with water, shake off excess water, and store your aligners.
5. As you proceed to each new stage, all old stages are to be saved in their corresponding zip lock
packet until treatment is completed. In the rare event that an aligner should break, please call our
office. We may advise you to move to the next aligner or go back to a previous aligner depending
on how long you have worn the broken aligner.
6. It is rare that an aligner is unable to be removed. A #2 crochet hook from a hobby & craft store
will assist in removing the aligner if you have short fingernails. Call our office for assistance if
needed.
Daily Care and Maintenance of Aligners:
1. Clean your aligners prior to each insertion. Use a soft tooth brush with toothpaste and water.
2. Rinse each aligner thoroughly with water after each cleaning.
3. DO NOT use denture cleaners to clean aligners or soak them in mouthwash. These products can
damage the surface of the aligner, causing it to become dull and more visible.
3MainStreetEllington,CT06029·Phone(860)870-9031·Fax(860)871-2964·www.zahnerdental.com
Oral Hygiene and Diet
Food left on the teeth and gum line after eating feeds bacteria which cause plaque to form. Plaque
causes cavities (tooth decay), decalcification (white marks on teeth) and gingivitis or gum disease (swollen,
puffy, red, overgrown or bleeding gums). Since the expansion retainers fit against the teeth and gums, it is
important to keep the retainers as clean as the mouth. The following are recommended guidelines and
tools to be used in cleaning your gums and teeth:
To maintain healthy teeth while wearing orthodontic appliances and to reduce the possibility of decay,
decalcification and inflammation of the gums, please follow these recommendations:
1. The best preventive measure is excellent oral hygiene. This includes brushing with fluoride
toothpaste for at least two minutes after breakfast and before going to bed. A regular soft bristled
tooth brush will do well, but we highly recommend the Sonicare electric toothbrush.
2. Fluoride is a very important part of the prevention program. Fluoride will attach to any weakened
enamel and strengthen it. We recommend that after brushing with fluoride toothpaste and rinsing,
before going to bed, rinse with a fluoride mouthwash. Hold for 60 seconds then spit, but do not
rinse. The idea is to leave a small amount of fluoride on your teeth all night. This nightly light
fluoride treatment will help prevent decay, decalcification and gingivitis.
3. Minimize eating foods with high fructose corn syrup, sucrose and other sugars. All candy is in
this category as well as many juices. The bacteria that cause decay, decalcification and gingivitis
utilize the carbohydrates as their food.
4. Minimize or avoid soft drinks. There is strong evidence that the acid from carbonated soft drinks
contributes to the breakdown of enamel.
5. It is very important to continue with your regular professional cleaning with our office.
3MainStreetEllington,CT06029·Phone(860)870-9031·Fax(860)871-2964·www.zahnerdental.com
Managing Dental Decay
Dental decay (cavities) is caused by sugar-loving bacteria in your mouth that can never be completely
eliminated. Fillings and crowns replace the decayed hole in the tooth, but you will get new decay around them if
your diet and cleaning habits remain unchanged. Dental decay is preventable, but you must modify your diet if you
want to prevent cavities. If you don’t change your diet you will still get decay—even if you are meticulous about
brushing, flossing, and using fluoride! No one can eliminate sugar from their diet. It is necessary for normal body
functioning. But you must be wise about when you eat sweets, how you eat them, and what you do afterwards.
To prevent dental decay:
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Be aware of what has sugar in it, and cut back if possible: soda, sports drinks like Gatorade, sweetened
coffee or tea, fruit drinks, fruit roll-ups, fruit, raisins, honey, sugar gum, milk, hard candy, chewy candy,
chocolate, caramel, cough drops, breath mints, and sweets like ice cream, cake, pie, and donuts. Simple
carbohydrates like crackers, bread and chips are converted to sugar in your mouth by your saliva.
o Switch to diet products whenever possible.
o Only have sweets along with breakfast, lunch or dinner—minimize snacking.
o If you have anything other than water between meals, eat or drink it all at once and immediately
brush your teeth, chew sugar-free gum, or rinse with water.
o A can of soda, if sipped throughout the day, will cause much more damage than a whole 2 liter bottle
consumed in one short sitting.
o Never get up in the night and eat or drink anything except water. If you must eat during the night,
rinse well or brush afterwards.
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Brush twice and floss once per day. Use a rotary (electric) tooth brush for best results.
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Use high dose fluoride toothpaste in place of your regular toothpaste at night, and do not rinse. It should
be the last thing that touches your teeth before bed. It is by prescription only.
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Chew xylitol-sweetened gum or mints (xylitol should be the only sweetener in them). It is most effective if
chewed for 5-10 minutes 3-5 times per day, after every meal or snack. Xylitol is a natural tooth-friendly
sugar that fights bacteria.
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Have high dose fluoride varnish painted on your teeth every 3-6 months.
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Use chlorhexidine rinse for 1 week every 3 months. It is by prescription only.
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Use MI Paste as recommended by Dr. Zahner or your hygienist.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
Occlusal Splints (Night Guards) for TMD, Bruxism, or
Clenching
Purpose: the purpose of this therapy is to influence your lower jaw to function freely and without
pain, and to protect your teeth from excessive wear. Many situations cause the malfunction of your lower
jaw. Examples are accidents, surgery, developmental defects, oral habits, altered bite with fillings and
crowns placed over many years, naturally occurring malocclusion (poor bite), orthodontics, psychological
stress, clenching or bruxing (grinding teeth), or other conditions.
Rationale: Plastic bite splints, occlusal splints, and night guards are one and the same, and have
been shown for many years to help these conditions by keeping the teeth from contacting when the jaws
are closed. This allows the lower jaw to return to a comfortable hinge position without interference and
guidance from the teeth. Splints also protect the teeth from physical wear and abrasion.
Wearing the splint: You should wear your splint at night when you cannot control your jaw
movements. It will take a few days and in some cases a few weeks to get used to sleeping with it. If you
are prone to clenching or grinding your teeth during the daytime—on your commute to work, for
instance—it is OK to wear the splint then. Just be careful to clean your teeth with floss and fluoride
toothpaste before using it, since the guard will trap cavity-causing food against your teeth. The splint can
cause dental decay if you don’t clean your teeth and apply fluoride before using it. A fluoride mouthrinse
may be used after brushing and flossing if you have a high dental decay rate (it must say fluoride
anticavity mouthrinse on the label).
Cleaning the splint: After use, rinse the splint under water and turn it upside down to air dry.
Your splint may be cleaned periodically by brushing it gently with soap and water (dish soap is best). Do
not use toothpaste—it has abrasive in it that will wear the plastic over time.
Please call our office at 860-870-9031 if you have pain from a splint that is too tight, if it is too
loose, or if the bite is off and your teeth hurt after wearing it.
For more information, please visit us online at www.zahnerdental.com.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
TMD—Temporomandibular Dysfunction
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge connection between your
mandible (lower jaw) and the temple region of your upper jaw and head. Muscles
are arranged around the joint to close and open the lower jaw during chewing,
talking, etc. The joint itself is a capsule of fluid containing a cartilage disc (like the
ones between your vertebrae) that acts as a cushion between the bones. This system
may be disrupted by clenching or grinding of teeth, trauma, surgery, developmental
defects, peculiar oral habits, malocclusion (poor bite), psychological stress, or other
conditions. It may result in localized or radiating pain in front of the ear, clicking or
popping while eating or talking, muscle soreness, headaches, locking of the jaw, or
other symptoms.
To recover from acute TMD, the joint needs to be rested, the muscles relaxed, and the inflammation in the
joint reduced. We recommend the following:
□ Anti-inflammatory medication: __________________________________
□ Relax the muscles: Apply moist heat directly to the jaw muscles for 5 minutes (you may put your jaw
under hot shower water). Then massage the muscles for 5 min. It is ok to stretch your neck and jaw in
slow, controlled movements if there is no pain. Take muscle relaxors if prescribed.
□ Physical therapy: After heat and stretching, do the following exercises unless it is painful (a minute
each):
Open-close: place a closed fist under your jaw to provide gentle resistance. Open
slowly, and then close.
Forward-backward: place your fist in front of your chin to resist movement, and
move your chin forward and backward.
Right: provide resistance to the right cheek and move your jaw to the right, then back
to center.
Left: provide resistance to the left cheek and move your jaw to the left, then back to
center.
□ Rest your jaw: Minimize the frequency of chewing, and minimize the force needed for chewing.
Don’t chew gum or chewy candy, avoid bagels and hard breads, and pay close attention to repetitive
clenching or jaw habits while you are awake.
□ Wear a night guard: To protect the joint every night, use your night guard or NTI appliance (it should
be made by us—they need to be hard plastic, not chewy, and they need to position your jaw optimally).
Night guards are also used to prevent or treat a chronic TMJ problem.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
TMD—Temporomandibular Dysfunction
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the hinge connection between your
mandible (lower jaw) and the temple region of your upper jaw and head. Muscles
are arranged around the joint to close and open the lower jaw during chewing,
talking, etc. The joint itself is a capsule of fluid containing a cartilage disc (like the
ones between your vertebrae) that acts as a cushion between the bones. This system
may be disrupted by clenching or grinding of teeth, trauma, surgery, developmental
defects, peculiar oral habits, malocclusion (poor bite), psychological stress, or other
conditions. It may result in localized or radiating pain in front of the ear, clicking or
popping while eating or talking, muscle soreness, headaches, locking of the jaw, or
other symptoms.
To recover from acute TMD, the joint needs to be rested, the muscles relaxed, and the inflammation in the
joint reduced. We recommend the following:
□ Anti-inflammatory medication: __________________________________
□ Relax the muscles: Apply moist heat directly to the jaw muscles for 5 minutes (you may put your jaw
under hot shower water). Then massage the muscles for 5 min. It is ok to stretch your neck and jaw in
slow, controlled movements if there is no pain. Take muscle relaxors if prescribed.
□ Physical therapy: After heat and stretching, do the following exercises unless it is painful (a minute
each):
Open-close: place a closed fist under your jaw to provide gentle resistance. Open
slowly, and then close.
Forward-backward: place your fist in front of your chin to resist movement, and
move your chin forward and backward.
Right: provide resistance to the right cheek and move your jaw to the right, then back
to center.
Left: provide resistance to the left cheek and move your jaw to the left, then back to
center.
□ Rest your jaw: Minimize the frequency of chewing, and minimize the force needed for chewing.
Don’t chew gum or chewy candy, avoid bagels and hard breads, and pay close attention to repetitive
clenching or jaw habits while you are awake.
□ Wear a night guard: To protect the joint every night, use your night guard or NTI appliance (it should
be made by us—they need to be hard plastic, not chewy, and they need to position your jaw optimally).
Night guards are also used to prevent or treat a chronic TMJ problem.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
Tooth Decay in Children
What foods cause tooth decay in children?
Many different types of food can cause tooth decay in children, not just candy and chocolate.
High fructose corn syrup (the popular sweetener found in most processed snack food and drinks like soda)
has the most potential to cause decay- but most people don’t realize that the natural sugars found in fruits,
milk, and honey are just as potent. A diet high in sweet drinks like soda, fruit punch, apple juice, orange
juice, Gatorade, sweetened iced tea, lemonade, chocolate milk and regular milk (basically all liquids
besides water and “diet” drinks) will cause decay. Snacks made with high fructose corn syrup (packaged
cakes, etc.) or that are high in carbohydrates, like crackers and potato chips can also cause decay when
they are consumed regularly throughout the day. Sticky fruit snacks are particularly damaging because
the natural sugars stick between the teeth for hours.
My children rarely drink soda or eat candy. Are they still at risk for tooth decay?
Yes. Any prolonged exposure to simple carbohydrates or sugary drinks or snacks can cause
damage. Each time the food hits the teeth it gives an extra meal to the bacteria, allowing them to multiply
and produce more of the acid that eats into the teeth. Have your child drink a juice box all at once, then
take it away and have them rinse with water. After a healthy snack, have your child rinse with water and
swallow it. This washes the sugar and bacterial acids off of the teeth. Avoid snacks such as fruit roll-ups
or fig-newtons which have sticky sugar in them that sticks to the teeth and cannot be rinsed away. It is
best to keep separate meals, snacks, juice, or milk “doses” to a minimum. Compare the following
examples:
Diet likely to cause decay:
• Snack with juice box
• Yogurt and juice box
• Chocolate milk and cookies
• Ice cream an hour after dinner
• Juice box or milk before bed
Healthier Diet:
• Breakfast (juice ok with meal)
• Healthy snack with water
• Lunch (milk or juice ok with meal)
• Healthy snack with water
• Dinner (milk ok with meal)
• Ice cream for dessert right after eating, followed by water rinse
Aren’t natural foods like milk, apple juice, and fruit good for you?
Yes. In fact, the current MyPlate food pyramid recommends half of the diet being fruits and
vegetables. The problem comes from “grazing” throughout the day, so try to eat these healthy foods at
mealtime. “Sippy cups” and bottles with milk or fruit juices should never be allowed in bed. Toddlers
can get devastating decay from bathing their teeth in sugar at night. While it is a good practice for
weaning, diluting fruit juice with water does not prevent cavities.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
Besides diet modification, how can I help my child prevent tooth decay?
Brushing teeth after meals, using high-fluoride toothpaste, regular flossing, use of xylitol
sweetened gum or mints and regular fluoride treatments at the dentist will help to prevent tooth decay.
Children should be supervised as they brush. A good rule of thumb is that when children can dress
themselves and tie their own shoes, then they are ready to brush unsupervised. Children at school should
rinse their mouth with water after snacks or meals to cleanse their teeth of sugar and acid. If you
purchase bottled water for daily use at home, be sure that it is fluoridated or use fluoride supplements. It
is important to note that without modifying the diet, the best brushers and flossers will still get decay.
And the opposite is also true- the kids with the worst oral hygiene may not get cavities if their diet is low
in sugar.
I had cavities when I was young. Isn’t it just part of life?
Today, many children never have a cavity in their baby teeth. You can break the cycle of
childhood cavities by being sugar-conscious while weaning from breast milk or formula to other foods. A
strong correlation has been found between the use of sweetened drinks as a toddler and the consumption
of sugar-containing snacks in later years. You will further reinforce this “sweet-tooth” if you reward
good behavior with candy or sweets. As much as possible, avoid using unhealthy snacks as a reward.
With a little discipline it is possible to spare your child from a lifetime of fillings, crowns, root canals and
eventual tooth loss, not to mention systemic diseases like obesity and diabetes.
3 Main Street Ellington, CT 06029 ·Phone (860) 870-9031 · Fax (860) 871-2964 · www.zahnerdental.com
Xylitol
What is it?
•
Xylitol is a natural sugar derived from the fibrous parts of plants
How can it help me?
•
Xylitol prevents bacteria from sticking to the teeth
•
Raises the pH from an acidic level to a more neutral level and helps repair damage to the enamel
•
Increases salivary flow
•
Helps dry mouth conditions
How much do I need?
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For cavity prevention patients should use a xylitol product 4 to 5 times a day for best results
•
At a minimum it is recommended that you chew xylitol gum for 5 minutes following three meals
a day
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Frequency, not quantity, is the key
•
Look for products that list xylitol as the first ingredient
Where can I get it?
•
Zahner Dental
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Whole Foods
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Vitamin Shoppe
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Walgreens.com
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www.xlear.com
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Manchester Parkade, The Health Store
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Nature’s Grocer, Vernon
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Willimantic Food Co-Op
Note: Xylitol, similar to chocolate, is harmful to dogs