Everyone knows that sugary foods can cause cavities, but did you realize they aren’t the only culprits? Even people who only eat very little sugar can develop tooth decay occasionally and might wonder why this is the case.
Tooth decay is caused by bacteria that live naturally in the mouth in a sticky biofilm called dental plaque. These bacteria thrive on leftover food particles, producing acid as a by-product. The acid weakens your tooth enamel and gradually creates an opening or hole in the enamel over time. The dentin underneath tooth enamel is much softer and more quickly eroded by acid and bacteria, creating a cavity. However, these bacteria not only live on sugary foods but also on anything starchy and which is high in carbohydrates. So even if you’re very careful and try to keep your consumption of sugars low, you’re still most likely eating starchy bread, cereals and pasta as part of a healthy balanced diet.
Avoiding Tooth Decay
It would be unreasonable to suggest avoiding all starchy foods, but tooth decay in Oshawa is a preventable condition. Preventing cavities is largely about ensuring you keep your teeth clean. The whole purpose of brushing your teeth at least twice a day is to remove dental plaque and food particles from your teeth and gums. When you brush thoroughly, you get rid of most dental plaque and food debris so fewer bacteria can create harmful acids and erode your tooth enamel. It’s equally important to make sure you floss once a day because your toothbrush cannot clean between your teeth. These contact areas are where plaque bacteria can thrive, and food particles become trapped, providing a readily available food source.
If you dislike flossing or find it difficult or uncomfortable, ask us for help next time you visit Margolian Dentistry. Our dentist in Whitby can soon show you how to floss properly and discuss suitable dental floss to use as there are many types available. These include flosses designed for tightly packed teeth. Alternatively, we can discuss other tools to try and are confident we will find something easy for you to use every day.
Making Sure Your Teeth Are Really Clean
Even the best oral care routine will likely leave some dental plaque on your teeth, which soon hardens into tartar or calculus. The bacteria in plaque and tartar continue to produce acids that will harm your teeth and is part of the reason why professional dental cleanings are so important. Our hygienist in Ajax can clean your teeth professionally, leaving them feeling sparkling fresh and smooth, eliminating all that harmful plaque and tartar.
Choosing When to Eat Certain Foods
Excellent oral care will go a long way to helping prevent cavities, but there is something else you can try: to choose when you eat certain foods that may be carbohydrate-rich or sugary. Every time you eat these foods that feed harmful bacteria, your mouth remains acidic for at least half an hour afterwards. The more frequently you snack on these foods, the greater the length of time your teeth are exposed to harmful acids. When you want to eat these foods, try to include them as part of a main meal rather than as a snack, as you will already be producing more saliva to help wash away excess acid and food particles, reducing the damage to your teeth. If you want to brush your teeth after eating, wait at least half an hour as this gives your tooth enamel time to re-harden as acidity levels begin to normalize. When tooth enamel is still softer, brushing your teeth can wear away enamel more quickly.