Alex Hecht DDS, NY Dental School, answers a question about teeth health.
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Male Speaker: What is the reason why people get tooth decay? Alex Hecth: They get it because of sugars, refined sugars. Male Speaker: Why would sugars lead to tooth decay, any bacteria involved or anything? Alex Hecth: Because the sugar feeds the bacteria that while in the crevices of your teeth. And if they are not neutralized some how they basically breakdown the hard structure of the tooth. Male Speaker: So it's like fertilizing your weeds in your garbage, is that correct? Alex Hecth: Yes. Male Speaker: Okay. Is there a way of preventing tooth decay? Alex Hecth: There are sealants that can be applied into the fissures of the teeth. And also limit the intake of refined sugars which is a big cause of tooth decay and a lot of other elements in our preparation. Male Speaker: There are a couple of shows in TV instructing that you should brush your teeth a minimum two times a day. Is that true? Alex Hecth: You should brush your teeth a minimum of two times, but you should also rinse your mouth and get rid of sugary substances from your teeth every time you have sugary substances. Also it's a misconception of that you should brush right after you eat candy or right after you drink orange juice and that really is not very helpful, because the teeth are acted upon by the acid in the orange juice or some hot candies that are very sour, and if you brush your teeth right after you will actually be brushing away your enamel.
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