Did you know, when Aristotle the ancient Greek philosopher first realized eating sweet foods caused tooth decay nobody believed him? Today, we are well aware of the fact that sugar is harmful to our teeth and causes tooth decay.
To learn how to prevent tooth decay and how cavities can destroy your teeth, continue reading.
Your Mouth is a Battlefield
Many different species of bacteria live in your mouth, including good and bad bacteria. When harmful bacteria encounter sugar, it produces acid in your mouth. As a result of this, minerals are stripped from the tooth enamel (demineralization).
Your saliva plays an important role in your oral health as it reverses this damage through remineralization. Your saliva contains calcium and phosphate, which replace the minerals lost during an acid attack. This helps the enamel repair itself and strengthens the teeth.
Reoccurring acid attacks, cause the enamel to weaken, deteriorate and develop cavities.
Cavities are holes in the teeth that develop from tooth decay. They arise when harmful bacteria feed off the sugary foods and drinks you consume and produce acids.
Cavities can destroy your teeth if left untreated. This is because they can spread into the deeper layers of the teeth when you don’t visit your dentist in Red Deer in time enough. Pain and tooth loss are both potential outcomes of untreated cavities.
What are the Signs of Tooth Decay?
- Toothache
- Pain
- Tooth Sensitivity
Why You Should Steer Clear of Sugar
Bacteria thrive off sugar…
Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sorbrinus are two types of destructive bacteria that exist in the mouth. Each time you eat or drink something containing sugar, bacteria feeds off it and develops dental plaque. Dental plaque is a sticky film that forms on the surface of your teeth.
When plaque is not washed away either by saliva or brushing, the mouth becomes more acidic and cavities may develop. Cavities can destroy your teeth which is why preventing them is the key to a healthy mouth.
Once plaque buildup forms, it can’t be removed from regular brushing and flossing. You will be required to visit your dentist in Red Deer for removal.
Dietary Habits That Cause Cavities
As you know, cavities can destroy your teeth which is why you need to be conscious of the foods you eat. The following are some dietary contributors to cavities:
High-Sugar Snacks
The next time you decide to have that chocolate bar at the back of your pantry, you may want to reconsider. This is because the consumption of sugary snacks and beverages contributes to cavities.
Sugary and Acidic Beverages
Soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and juices are a few examples of beverages that contain liquid sugar. Additionally, these beverages also contain high levels of acids that can lead to tooth decay.
Furthermore, if you sip on sugary beverages constantly throughout the day, it also increases your chance of developing cavities. The longer your teeth are exposed to sugar, the higher your risk for cavities. Cavities can destroy your teeth, which is why limiting your consumption of sugary beverages is critical.
Sticky Foods
While you may think that sucking on hard candies, such as breath mints or lollipops isn’t as bad for your teeth as soft candies are, you’d be surprised. The truth is, hard candies are sticky and provide long-lasting sources of sugar. This gives harmful bacteria in your mouth ample time to digest the sugar and produce acid.
Cavities can destroy your teeth, which is why they should be treated immediately. To protect your oral health from cavities, make a conscious effort to limit your sugar intake. Be sure to brush twice daily and floss regularly. Also, don’t forget to visit your dentist in Red Deer every 6 months for a dental cleaning and checkup.