Published on June 23, 2017, Updated on June 26, 2017
Do you think about your tooth enamel each time you eat? Most people don’t. However, what you eat matters immensely to the health of your teeth and even your gums. Many foods that contain sugar tend to be harmful to your teeth and erode the tooth enamel quicker than non-sugary foods. Your tooth enamel is your protector against cavities, as the tooth enamel protects the softer inner parts of your teeth that can easily decay when tooth enamel is broken down. At Hardy Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics, we can help you know what foods and drinks are good for your teeth and which ones you should cut back on (or avoid altogether).
Why is protecting the teeth so important? Well for starters, you only have one set of 28 adult teeth (32 if you still have your wisdom teeth). To retain your teeth, you must take care of them. Not practicing good oral hygiene habits can cause you to experience frequent cavities (a.k.a. tooth decay), root canals, dental extractions, periodontal treatment (gum disease treatment), tooth loss and more. The more you protect your teeth, the fewer problems you will have, which saves you $$$ at the dental office and protects your health in the long run. The teeth become damaged mainly through tooth decay and gum disease, but what you choose to eat makes a big difference.
Our mouths are full of bacteria. Some bacteria is good and helps us break down and digest the foods we eat. Other bacteria breaks down our tooth enamel, which is something we definitely don’t want. Certain bacterias use sugars in food to make an acidic substance (also known as plaque) that sticks to our teeth and slowly erodes the tooth enamel. When this plaque is not removed regularly, it will eventually erode the tooth enamel enough that the acid gets into the center of your tooth causing decay. Plaque will literally eat away your tooth, which is why you want to brush and floss often so this never happens. One of the best things you can do to protect your teeth is to be mindful of everything that comes in contact with your teeth—namely food and drinks—and take care to clean the teeth often.
What foods require the teeth to receive extra cleaning and care?
These are some of the most common culprits when it comes to plaque buildup and tooth decay, but many foods can contribute. Many drinks can erode your teeth as well, especially if they are very acidic. Does that mean you have to stop enjoying the foods and drinks you like? Not at all! It just means you need to be mindful about what you are putting in your mouth and brush more often. To learn more about foods and drinks we recommend avoiding and even indulging in, call Hardy Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics today at (720) 887-6003!