As the old expression goes “you are what you eat” so as Dentist’s we like our patients to be un-sweetened, soft, and neutral…. ok, maybe that expression doesn’t transfer well into dentistry.
Your teeth are there to help you bite and chew your food so of course there is going to be effects to your teeth from what you are consuming. Enamel is the hardest part of the human body protecting the crown of the tooth. The enamel can withstand a lot but there are factors within you diet which can cause damage leading to decay, erosion, and cracking.
Sugar
Trust us, you are already sweet enough! You don’t need to keep snacking on that bag of jellybeans! Sugar attracts the bad bacteria in your mouth which creates plaque. This plaque then sits on the teeth causing the acidity in the mouth to increase which leads to cavities starting to form.
Acidity
Acidity, not just from sugar, causes erosion. High acidic foods and drinks such as citrus fruits and alcohol change the pH of the mouth which like the sugar, wears away at enamel creating the pathway for bacteria to get into the tooth.
Hard
Enamel is the hardest part of your body but that doesn’t mean its unbreakable. With enough force or biting something hard on the wrong angle, the tooth can break. So, stay away from hard lollies and be careful with the pork crackle on the Sunday Roast. Even chewing ice can cause cracking. As a side note - if you are, you should speak to you doctor about testing your iron levels as craving ice is a sign of iron deficiency. This symptom is called “pica”.
Exposure
With all these aspects it also comes back to exposure – if you are constantly eating sugar, drinking acidic drinks, and biting hard foods, your teeth are going to wear. It is best to have small windows in which you consume these things so you can stay on top of your plaque and pH levels.
Care
Once you have had your exposure these are our top tips to keep your teeth healthy.
- Drink lots of water while you’re eating to rinse the mouth.
- Wait 30 mins before brushing your teeth after eating to reduced teeth erosion due to increased mouth acidity.
- Drink through a straw.
- Regular check-ups and cleans to assess wear levels and decay beginning.
- Fissure sealants to protect deep grooves on the teeth so food doesn’t get trapped.
Food is your body’s fuel so it should be enjoyed and utilised. Without teeth, we can’t enjoy food as much, and without food there is no point to teeth! It’s a perfect Ying and Yang match that needs to balance in harmony.
See you at your next appointment!