Just about everybody knows eating too much sugar can lead to tooth decay, but some are fully aware of exactly how that happens. Most Rancho Cucamonga Dentists will tell you, It’s not the sugar itself that does the damage, but instead the set of events that takes place after you eat that piece of cake.
Here is the way taking certain specific actions can prevent tooth decay from destroying your oral health.
How Cavities Occur
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NICDR), the mouth is filled of hundreds of bacteria, many which are beneficial to the oral ecosystem. Regardless, some harmful oral bacteria actually feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that get rid the tooth enamel.
Cavities are a bacterial infection developed by acids, that cause your teeth to experience a gap in them. Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentists say that without treatment, cavities can progress past the enamel and into the deeper layers of the tooth, causing pain and even tooth loss as a consequence.
A Never Ending Battle In The Mouth
Your teeth are always under attack by acids, but the great news is this damage is constantly being reversed. Acids leech minerals from the enamel through what is referred to as demineralization.
The natural process of remineralization replaces those minerals and strengthens the teeth all over again — and your saliva is an essential aspect of it all. Saliva contains minerals such as calcium and phosphates to aid in repairing the teeth. Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentists say that Fluoride is another mineral that assist with repairing weakened enamel.
But, replacing lost minerals can only do so much to prevent the effects of sugar on teeth if you eat plenty of sweets and starches through the day. Reducing your sugar intake is essential if you want to give your mouth a chance to fix the damage.
Great Action Steps to Assist Remineralize Tooth Enamel
In addition to reducing your consumption of sugar, stimulating saliva flow is advised to help bathe the teeth in minerals. Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentists say that chewing sugarless gum and incorporating fibrous vegetables and fruits into your diet are great ways to salivate.
Cheese, yogurt and other dairy products also contain calcium and phosphates to strengthen the teeth, and are much better choices for snack time than sugary or starchy treats.
Furthermore, green and black teas contain substances that help suppress harmful oral bacteria, so adding a few cups to your daily regime — with no sugar, of course — can help sustain a healthy balance in the mouth.
Additionally, fluoride is a mineral that not only prevents tooth decay, but also reverses it in its early stages, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).
Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentists recommend you drink plenty of fluoridated water and brush regularly with an ADA-approved fluoride toothpaste, which cleans out sugar-dependent germs for up to 12 hours.
Constant vigilance is the key to preventing the negative effects of sugar on teeth. Encourage your children to restrict their sugar intake, brush away bacteria-filled plaque regularly and eat healthy foods that strengthen the teeth.
Our Rancho Cucamonga Dentists say that if you add regular dental visits and fluoride treatments to the combination, and that’s the way you have the best shot at winning the battle against tooth decay.
To avoid fillings in the future, our Rancho Cucamonga Dentists suggest that you make sure that you brush your teeth twice daily using a fluoride toothpaste, which repairs weakened tooth enamel and assist in defending teeth against cavities.
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