A bottle may soothe a crying baby, but the same bottle can be a cause for tooth decay. Frequent exposure to sugary liquids such as milk, formula, fruit juice and soda can feed the bacteria on a child\\\'s teeth and gums, resulting in plaque build-up and tooth decay.

Source: \\\"Early Childhood Tooth Decay.\\\" American Dental Association. Accessed 2010.

Plaque removal should start when the first tooth appears. Brush your baby\\\'s teeth with a soft toothbrush and a pea-sized amount of fluoride toothpaste.¹ About six months after the first tooth breaks the surface, it\\\'s time to schedule a dentist appointment.²

¹ \\\"A Healthy Mouth for Your Baby.\\\" National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, June 4, 2010. Accessed 2010. ² \\\"Dental Care for Your Baby.\\\" American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Accessed 2010.

Tooth decay is the single most common chronic childhood disease&emdash;5 times more common than asthma and 7 times more common than hay fever. Over 50 percent of 5- to 9-year-old children have at least one cavity or filling, and that proportion increases to 78 percent among 17-year-olds. Cavities can be preventable - make sure your child has good oral health habits and visits their dentist for regularly scheduled checkups.

Source: Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000.

Carbonated beverages are a significant cause of cavities in teens. Soda and sugar-loaded high carbohydrate foods-favorite quick meals for teens-can have devastating and irreversible effects on oral health. An increase in drinking carbonated beverages may be behind a large increase in cavities.¹

Source: \"Fast-paced Lifestyle Eroding Teens\' Teeth\", Academy of General Dentistry, Accessed 8/2011

Ancient Chinese and Japanese medicine believed green tea consumption could cure disease and heal wounds. Recent scientific studies are also beginning to establish the potential health benefits of drinking green tea, especially in weight loss, heart health, and cancer prevention. A study published in the Journal of Periodontology uncovered yet another benefit of green tea consumption: routine intake of green tea may also help promote healthy teeth and gums.

Source: \"Protecting Oral Health throughout your Life\", American Academy of Periodontology, Accessed 8/2011

Your teeth can last a lifetime if you continue to give them proper care. One key to healthy gums and teeth is thorough cleaning every day. Brush gently, at least twice a day, paying special attention to the gum line. Use toothpaste that contains fluoride. And don\\\'t forget to floss, at least once a day to sweep away the food and bacteria that collect between teeth. Seeing a dentist regularly is also important for preserving your smile. If you wear dentures, use a denture care product and follow cleaning instructions to keep your dentures looking clean and smelling fresh. Taking your dentures off for at least four hours every day, ideally while you sleep at night, gives your gums a healthy break.

Source: Consumer Resources: Oral Longevity™.\" American Dental Association. Accessed 2010.

Studies have shown a possible relationship between periodontal disease and pre-term, low birth weight babies. Any infection, including periodontal infection, is cause for concern during pregnancy. In fact, pregnant women who have periodontal disease may be more likely to have a baby that is born too early and too small. If you are planning to become pregnant, be sure to include a periodontal evaluation as part of your prenatal care.

Source: \"Protecting Oral Health throughout your Life\", American Academy of Periodontology, Accessed 8/2011

Men with a history of gum disease are 14% more likely to develop cancer than men with healthy gums. Men with periodontal disease may be:

• 49% more likely to develop kidney cancer
  
• 54% more likely to develop pancreatic cancer
  
• 30% more likely to develop blood cancers

Source: \"Study Urges Men to Brush Up on Their Oral Health\", American Academy of Periodontology, Accessed 8/2011

If you consume sugary foods, do so with your meals rather than in between. Saliva production increases during meals, which helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.¹,²

¹ \"Snack Smart for Healthy Teeth.\" National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Accessed 8/13/2011 ² \"What is Tooth Decay?\" Know Your Teeth, Academy of General Dentistry. February 2007. Accessed 8/13/2011.

Spit tobacco is not a safe alternative to cigarettes. The toxic chemicals in dip and chew can damage your gums. They also can cause cancer. Look closely at places where you hold the tobacco. See your doctor or dentist right away if you have: 

• A sore that bleeds easily and doesn\'t heal
  
• A lump or thickening anywhere in your mouth or neck
  
• Soreness or swelling that doesn\'t go away
  
• Trouble chewing, swallowing, or moving your tongue or jaw
  

Source: \"Spitting into the Wind: The Facts About Dip and Chew\"; NIH

During a regular dental checkup, the mouth and tongue are screened for small sores or painless white or red patches. These could be signs of oral cancer, which spreads quickly, but may be treatable if caught early.

Source: \"Oral Cancer.\" American Dental Association. www.ada.org/3016.aspx Accessed 2010; : \"Oral Cancer: Are you at Risk? What Are the Signs & Symptoms? Should You Have an Oral Cancer Exam?\", NIH Publication No. 03-5032

Your mouth is home to millions of germs¹ and when blood sugar is high, germs grow more easily. That\'s one reason why people with diabetes are prone to getting periodontal (gum) disease.² If you have diabetes, you need to take especially good care of your teeth and gums with these easy steps:

• Keep your blood glucose controlled.²
  
• Brush your teeth twice a day using fluoride toothpaste.Gently brush all tooth surfaces and along the gum line.³
  
• Floss at least once a day. Flossing cleans plaque that your toothbrush can\'t reach.³
  
• Get regular dental cleanings and checkups. Be sure to let your dentist know that you have diabetes.²
  
• Call your dentist if you notice bleeding gums, a swollen or sore area, or pain or sensitivity while eating.⁴
  

¹ \"The Use and Handling of Toothbrushes.\" Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Accessed 2010. ² \"Diabetes: Frequently Asked Questions.\" American Dental Association. Accessed 2010. ³ \"Cleaning Your Teeth and Gums.\" Oral Health Topics, American Dental Association. Accessed 2010. ⁴ \"More on the Mouth.\" American Diabetes Association. Accessed 2010.

A healthy mouth can help keep diabetes in check. Increased sugar levels have a negative impact on oral health by increasing the severity of existing gum disease and may lead to tooth loss. In addition, diabetics who have gum disease find it far more difficult to control their sugar levels than diabetics who do not have gum problems, because the infections can cause increased blood sugar levels.

Source: Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, 2000.

Gum disease doubles the risk of coronary artery disease. Bacteria in the mouth migrate into the blood stream. There they may attach to fatty plaques in the blood vessels of the heart and help form clots. When these clots block blood flow to the heart, a heart attack can happen. Good oral health habits and regular visits to your dentist can help keep your mouth healthy and may in fact reduce the risks of heart disease.

Source: \"Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease and Stroke.\"American Academy of Periodontology, May 8, 2008. Accessed 2010

Gum disease can make existing heart conditions worse. For example, oral infections such as gum disease put people with mitral valve prolapse at risk for infective endocarditis. This is an inflammation of the heart lining and valves. People at risk for such heart problems should be especially careful to prevent and/or treat gum disease. In addition, their dentists may advise them to prevent a heart infection by taking antibiotics before certain procedures.^1,2,3

¹ \"Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease and Stroke.\"American Academy of Periodontology, May 8, 2008. Accessed 2010. ² \"Cardiovascular Disease, Inflammation, and Periodontal Infection.\" D.W. Paquette et al. Periodontology 2000. 2007, vol. 44, pp. 113�26. Accessed 2010. ³ \"Ask Your Periodontist About Periodontal Disease & Heart Disease.\" American Academy of Periodontology, 1999. Accessed 2010.

Here is yet another reason to brush at least twice and floss at least once every day: Researchers report that periodontal (gum) disease caused by poor oral hygiene can not only result in pain and tooth loss, but it also can lead to heart disease and stroke.¹,² People with gum disease have nearly double the risk for heart disease as those with healthy gums, according to the American Academy of Periodontology.¹

¹ \"Gum Disease Links to Heart Disease and Stroke.\"American Academy of Periodontology. www.perio.org/consumer/mbc.heart.htm Accessed 2010. ² \"Healthy Mouth, Healthy Body.\" American Dental Association, April 2006. www.ada.org/sections/scienceAndResearch/pdfs/patient_61.pdf Accessed 2010.

The overall 5-year survival rate for those with oral cancer is 52%—a more devastating rate than cancer of the prostate, breast, colon, uterus, bladder, larynx, cervix, and rectum. Of the 30,200 Americans diagnosed with oral cancer a year, 7,800 will lose their lives and all will lose 16.5 years of their life on average. But, oral cancer is 90% preventable by avoiding tobacco products¹.

Source: Surgeon General 2000 Oral Health in America

In 2010, Delta Dental companies donated more than $45 million throughout the country to support programs that focus on preventing dental disease, expanding access to care, advancing dental science and understanding the connections between oral and overall health. 

There\'s nothing wrong with a little bit of sugar, but sugar can turn into acid that is strong enough to drill holes in your teeth and cause cavities¹,². If you consume sugary foods, do so with your meals rather than in between.

¹ \"Oral Health Topics: Diet and Oral Health.\" American Dental Association, March 14, 2005.�Accessed 2010. ² \"MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Dental cavities.\" U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, May 28, 2008. Accessed 2010.

Children who suffer from oral health problems may also have issues with speech development, poor concentration, and troublesome attendance. Furthermore, oral disease can cause chewing difficulty that requires a modified diet—sometimes interfering with healthy growth and development due to a lack of nutrients. Oral disease also can lead to a reduced self-esteem and can cause the child to have difficulty sleeping¹. Help your child\'s smile stay bright, make sure they practice good oral health habits and visit their dentist for regularly scheduled checkups.

Source: National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center: A Health Professional\'s Guide to Pediatric Oral health Management