Tooth Decay
Healthy Lifestyle Tips
The ADA recommends regular tooth brushing—daily brushing, ideally after each meal.29 Although thorough brushing varies from person to person, five to ten strokes in each area should be adequate.30 Toothpastes containing 1,000 to 2,500 ppm (1 to 2.5 mg per gram) of fluoride have been shown to reduce caries risk.31
A recent population survey found blood lead levels were associated with the amount of dental caries in children and adults. The authors estimated that lead exposure is responsible for roughly 10% of dental caries in young Americans.32 For this and other health reasons, known and potential sources of lead exposure should be avoided. Common sources of lead exposure may include paint, foods grown near roadways, and water from lead pipes.33