Looking after your teeth on the go can be challenging. Who’s got time to think about oral health morning, noon and night? But keep in mind that your morning coffees, work lunches, late-afternoon sugary snacks, and after-dinner cocktails all take their toll on your teeth.
Here are four tips to help your teeth combat the acid attack they face each time you finish eating or drinking. This acid, produced by oral bacteria fermenting the sugars in your food and drink, slowly dissolve the enamel on your teeth, which can lead to cavities.
- Chew sugar-free gum
If you chew sugar-free gum, your mouth will produce more saliva, a natural defense against acid. It typically takes saliva around an hour to replace the minerals that your tooth enamel loses after eating. However, you can increase your saliva by chewing sugar-free gum for just 20 minutes after you eat or drink. This will more quickly replace the lost minerals and therefore reduce the risk of decay.
- Carry around (and use) dental floss
Flossing cleans the hard-to-reach areas between your teeth, where food, plaque and bacteria build up. Take a few minutes out of your day to clean in between your teeth.
- Avoid sticky foods
Gummy candy, taffy, dried fruit, granola bars and sugar gum all leave your teeth coated with a thin, hard-to-clean layer of sugar. This will increase the likelihood of tooth decay
- Reduce sugar consumption
As sugar breaks down, it produces the acid that wears away your enamel. The more your teeth are exposed to sugar, the more acid produced at a low pH level, the more your chances of developing cavities.
Following these easy-to-remember tips will help you keep your teeth bright and healthy. Regular dental check-ups will ensure you keep your smile for years to come, please contact us at 09-957 7660 or contact@raananadental.com to schedule an appointment today.
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About the Clinic: Raanana Dental Care focuses on preventative care and specializes in high quality restorative and esthetic dental treatments, dental phobias, as well as emergency dental care. https://www.raananadental.com/
