ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — For the past 40 years there’s been a decrease in the amount of tooth decay in children … that is until now. New statistics from the Centers for Disease Control say the trend is reversing. But there are things you can do to keep your teeth healthy and bright.

By the time children reach second grade, half will have at least one cavity. Tooth decay in kids has increased by 28 percent in the past eight years. Drinking a mixture of unsweetened cranberry juice and water can cut down on cavities. The juice contains a chemical that stops cavity-causing bacteria from sticking to teeth. Just remember: when buying cranberry juice, read the label to make sure there is no added sugar.

Kids aren’t the only ones that need to pay more attention to their dental health. Studies show gum disease increases your risk of heart disease. Chewing gum is an easy way to keep those pearly whites sparkling! It keeps teeth clean by promoting saliva production.

“Saliva is the great protector against cavities,” Israel Kleinberg, D.D.S., Ph.D., an oral biologist at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, N.Y., told Ivanhoe.

The enzymes in saliva fight bacteria and neutralize acids that eat at your teeth. A healthier mouth for a brighter smile.

Certain foods can also help keep your teeth clean. Foods like cheese, peanut butter, nuts, eggs, olives, and dill pickles neutralize acids in the mouth that wear down tooth enamel.