Enjoy sugary snacks while protecting your teeth from cavities
Who says you can’t enjoy a sweet snack from time to time? You just need to do it right. It’s not just sugar that causes cavities. In fact, tooth decay is a multifactorial phenomenon and the breakdown of enamel is dynamic. When bacteria are left on teeth (plaque), it breaks down the starches from the foods we eat and drink, and it metabolizes sugars to form weak acids. These acids demineralize the tooth surface and start the tooth decay process. Resisting a sweet tooth can be tough, but there is good news! When it comes to sugar, it is more about the amount of time your teeth are exposed to the treat rather than the treat itself.
Do
- limit the number of times your teeth are exposed to sugar
- use a straw to limit contact between sugary beverages and your teeth
- finish meals with foods that are high in calcium
- chew sugar-free gum or gum with xylitol
- have dark chocolate if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth
Don't
- have sticky candies
- savor a sugary treat all day
- eat sugary items by themselves
- drink or eat anything except water after you’ve brushed your teeth for the evening
Do limit the number of times your teeth are exposed to sugar
What you eat and how frequently you’re eating it is important for maintaining a healthy smile. Sugary sweets can become addicting and it’s easy to fall into a “grazing” pattern. Try to eat the treat in just one sitting to limit the number of times your teeth are exposed to the treat. Each and every time bacteria comes into contact with sugar or starch in your mouth, acid is produced, which attacks your teeth for twenty minutes or more. If you are eating and snacking throughout the day, you are constantly exposing your teeth to acids.
Do use a straw to limit contact between sugary beverages and your teeth
According to published studies, there is a positive correlation between the consumption of soft drinks containing sugar and the development of tooth decay. And even some non-diet soft drinks contain up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving. Drinking soft drinks straight from the bottle will expose and coat your teeth to the harmful ingredients continuously. Therefore, a straw should be used to direct the liquid away from your teeth in order to make these drinks less damaging.
Do finish meals with foods that are high in calcium
Foods like cheeses, meats, nuts, milk, or yogurt help protect your enamel by coating it with calcium and phosphorus, which are needed to re-mineralize your teeth. Strong enamel is vital to maintaining a healthy smile.
Do chew sugar-free gum or gum with xylitol
Following meals, it is okay to chew a sugar-free gum or gum with xylitol to help dislodge food stuck between your teeth. Sugar-free gum also helps stimulate salivary flow, which works as a natural defense against tooth decay.
Do have dark chocolate if you need to satisfy your sweet tooth
In limited quantities, dark chocolate may actually be good for your teeth. According to recent research, dark chocolate is soft on teeth and may combat plaque. Compounds in the cocoa bean husk have an antibacterial effect and may fight against the bacteria on your teeth. Also, the oxalic acid in chocolate appears to lower acid production. Dark chocolate is the least processed chocolate and contains less sugar than the other varieties.
Do not have sticky candies
Sticky candies are more harmful than non-sticky foods because they remain on your teeth. Be cautious while eating sticky candy and make an effort to remove any excess candy left on your teeth. Also, the stickiness may cause your crowns or fillings to fall out, so try to cut back as much as possible.
Do not savor a sugary treat all day
Each time bacteria comes in contact with sugar or starch in the mouth, acid is produced, which attacks the teeth for twenty minutes or more. Nibbling on treats during the day increases the amount of time your teeth are exposed to sugar and gives bacteria an opportunity to grow and work at your teeth. Small amounts of sugar consumed over an extended period of time are more damaging than having the same quantity consumed in one sitting.
Do not eat sugary items by themselves
The minute you consume foods containing sugar, bacteria in your mouth convert’s that sugar into acid. These acids attack your enamel and begin the tooth-decaying process. Try to combine sugary items with neutralizing foods, like foods high in Calcium, to prevent tooth decay.
Do not drink or eat anything except water after you’ve brushed your teeth for the evening
Brush your teeth an hour after your last meal to give saliva the chance to produce natural bacteria-fighting minerals. Once you brush your teeth for the night, make a cautious effort to only drink water to avoid leaving your mouth susceptible to tooth-decaying acids overnight.
Summary
Maintaining a healthy smile doesn’t require you to completely cut sugar from your diet. Although sugary foods can negatively impact your oral health, proper care and frequent brushing can reduce any major damage. To help prevent tooth-decay, plaque buildup and cavities, it’s important to monitor the amount of time you spend eating sweets. Eating sugary items throughout the day allows bacteria and acid to attack your enamel, which is why it’s important to enjoy sweet treats in one sitting. Fortunately, there are many precautions you can take that limit the amount of time sugar spends in contact with your teeth allowing you to enjoy your favorite treat while keeping your pearly whites strong.
