February 2026

Did you know that the most common chronic disease in children is tooth decay? Also known as cavities or caries, the condition is about five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever. The way to a healthy smile is prevention. Learn about how to avoid and reverse cavities in English or Spanish.

Fun fact: Fluoride is a mineral that can prevent tooth decay from progressing. It can even reverse or stop early tooth decay. Salem, Beverly and Danvers were among the first Massachusetts cities to add fluoride to their community water supply and have been fluoridated communities since 1952.

We all know that what we eat matters. Here is a brief list of foods to avoid your teeth will thank you for. (Click here for a more detailed list for kids and adults!.)

Hard candies

Exposure to sugar can be harmful to your teeth. Hard candies also put your teeth at risk because in addition to being full of sugar, they can also trigger a dental emergency such as a broken or chipped tooth.

Ice is for chilling, not chewing

Chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel.

Watch your citrus intake

Frequent exposures to acidic foods can erode enamel, making teeth more susceptible to decay over time.

Sticky foods are your mouth's worst nightmare

Sticky foods (such as dried fruit) can damage your teeth since they tend to stay on the teeth longer than other types of food.

Swap out soda with water

When you eat sugary foods or sip sugary drinks for long periods of time, plaque bacteria use that sugar to produce acids that attack your enamel, the hard surface of your tooth. Most carbonated soft drinks, including diet soda, are acidic and therefore, bad for your teeth. Caffeinated beverages, such as colas can also dry out your mouth. If you do consume soft drinks, try to drink alongside a cup of water.

Watch out for sports drinks

Sugar is a top ingredient for many sports and energy drinks. The American Academy of Pediatrics says sports drinks can be helpful for young athletes engaged in prolonged, vigorous physical activities, but unnecessary in most cases.

Celebrate the Lunar New Year with this quick and simple String Bean Chicken recipe.