Oral health and your diet are more intrinsically linked than you may imagine and certainly surpass the basics of simply avoiding sugary drinks (although this is obviously a very important aspect of looking after teeth).

So why is diet so important?

Each time you drink or eat anything sugary, your teeth will be under an acid attack. This can happen for up to one hour after you have consumed. It happens because sugar reacts with bacteria in plaque and this produces a harmful acid. This is why it’s important to be very wary of constantly consuming sugary foods.

Tooth wear and erosion can happen with acidic foods and drinks too as it wears away the enamel (which you cannot get back), leaving the dentine uncovered. Aside from making your teeth more sensitive it can also affect the overall look of your teeth, which is where you may end up having to opt for some aesthetic dentistry to help.

What kinds of foods can help?

If your diet is rich in minerals and vitamins then it will make a difference. For example, vegetables and fruit can be a good alternative to processed sugar and could help you reduce your risk of getting gum disease or losing teeth.

What is tooth decay?

Tooth decay is the thing that will lead you towards fillings and even extractions and often affects the appearance of your teeth. Decay occurs when sugar reacts with the bacteria and plaque on your teeth. This forms an acid that attacks the teeth and destroys the enamel. Eventually over a period of time, the tooth enamel breaks down and forms a cavity into the dentine. This is where the tooth can decay more quickly and result in your needing a filling.

What kinds of foods cause tooth decay?

All types of sugars can cause tooth decay including processed sugars and sugars in fruits – so a balanced diet lower in sugary foods will help you to avoid tooth decay.

We all know that some foods and drinks are going to be more acidic than others and are sufficiently acidic to attack your teeth directly. The acidity of any food or drink product can be measured by its ‘pH’ value.The lower the number then the more acidic the product will be. Anything with a pH of lower than about 5.5 can cause tooth erosion. To give you an idea red wine has a pH of 2.0 and orange juice has a pH of 3.9 and so if consumed regularly can seriously damage you teeth.

Do you want to improve your smile this year? Contact us at Dental32 for an initial consultation. We can help with all kinds of problems such as tooth decay, gum disease and more!