It’s the end of the week, and you’re ready to celebrate by grabbing that chocolate bar and acidic beverage. You’re most likely not thinking about how the sugars and acid are affecting your teeth. While treating yourself to your favourite savoury treat is often a part of a balanced lifestyle, are you aware of how certain foods affect your teeth?
After you understand how sugary treats affect your teeth and oral health, you might think twice about grabbing that candy bar! You might reach for an apple instead.
What’s the Deal With Sugar and Enamel?
Your teeth receive protection from their hard outer shell called enamel. The composition of enamel includes minerals such as calcium phosphate which is also found in your bones. As a result, tooth enamel proves to be stronger than your bones. However, unlike your bones, your teeth cannot heal themselves. Did you know that consuming foods such as sugary treats can wear down your enamel over time? Therefore, you might be wondering: how does an item such as a simple candy bar impact enamel?
What Happens When Enamel Meets Sugar?
When you indulge in the sweet treat of your choice, the sugar in the item reacts with plaque bacteria found in your mouth. This process leads to the creation of acid which demineralizes and weakens your tooth enamel. When your tooth enamel becomes worn down, dental caries such as tooth decay or dental cavities can develop. Furthermore, weakened tooth enamel can lead to tooth sensitivity. If you’re experiencing sensitivity to hot or cold beverages or sugary items, you should consult with your family dentist. The silver lining is that you can often protect your teeth from enamel wear by avoiding foods that negatively impact your oral health! Let’s dive into a few foods that should be enjoyed in moderation or removed from your diet in general.
Limiting Your Consumption of Certain Foods
While life is all about maintaining a balance, eliminating or reducing your sugar consumption and avoiding acidic items is a great way to prevent enamel loss. Similarly, this is a small lifestyle change that your teeth and the family dentist will celebrate! Here are a few foods to be mindful of your consumption with:
1 Sugary and sticky items such as candy, dried fruit and beverages including, sports drinks, and fruit juices
Although consuming your favourite sugary treat creates short-term satisfaction, are the long-term effects on your teeth worth the fast pleasure? Foods that have a high sugar content can stick to your teeth, making it difficult for your saliva to do its job of washing away the sugar! If you need to indulge every once in a while, be sure to practice good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth after consumption. In addition to these items, be mindful of the beverages you’re consuming. For example, sports drinks and fruit juices contain artificial sugars that will wear down your enamel over time! If you’re heading to the gym, opt for water instead. Once you decrease your consumption of these harmful sugary substances, you’ll develop healthier snacking habits, leading to a healthier smile.
2. Acidic food and beverages
It’s no surprise that acidic items like carbonated beverages including soda, negatively impact the health of your teeth. Despite some options being sugar-free, carbonation is still a culprit of enamel erosion.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
If you’ve decided to enjoy sugary treats in moderation or eliminate them, be sure to practice good teeth cleaning habits. Floss and brush your teeth daily in addition to booking regularly scheduled professional teeth cleaning services and Midland Bay Dental. If you’re experiencing tooth sensitivity, talk to your dentist about the types of toothpaste that help with enamel repair.
In the meantime, reach for healthy snacks that are good for your teeth!
Sources:
https://crest.com/en-us/oral-health/conditions/tooth-enamel/tooth-enamel-loss-erosion-repair
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/mouth-and-teeth-anatomy/are-teeth-bones
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sugars-and-dental-caries