The enamel of your teeth is the clear outer layer that acts as the strong defense against acids, temperature extremes, all of the biting, chewing, and rigorous wear and tear your teeth go through on a daily basis. Your enamel is not naturally susceptible to erosion although when enamel does erode your teeth are prone to decay, disease, and cavities. Your dental hygienist recommends the daily practice of positive oral care consisting of brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and to follow through with the suggested professional cleaning twice a year. These are steps that, of course, helpprotect your teethand prevent the erosion of your enamel, but there are further actions you can take to ensure your enamel stays strong. Mainly, being more aware of the things you eat and drink. Believe it or not, it’s the things you eat and drink that have the most adverse effect on your teeth. The following takes a look at some of those things you should make a conscience effort to avoid excessive amounts of to improve the overall health of your teeth. Food and drinks that cause damage to your tooth enamel Candy- Almost all candies contain sugar. Unless you are purchasing only sugar-free candy, it has sugar. Even worse are sour candies. Sour candies contain high acidic counts which is doubly bad for your enamel. Soda- Again, unless you are buying only sugar-free, sodas contain high levels of sugar. Something you may not have known though, is that the worst kinds of sodas are clear kinds. If you’re like me, you’ve probably made the mistake of thinking they are better for you somehow, incorrect. Clear sodas most often have higher counts of citric and ascorbic acids which are terrible for your enamel. Pickles- You might be thinking: ‘not the innocent pickle’, well, yes. The otherwise considered healthy pickled cucumber can work tirelessly to break down your tooth enamel if consumed in excessive amounts due to the highly acidic brine the pickle soaks in. Fruit juices- Fruits and fruit juices can be good, they do however contain high levels of acidity. If you consume fruit and fruit juices in large quantities, it is suggested you seek out varieties marked ‘low-acid’. Tomato sauce- Since tomatoes are considered a fruit, and we already established that fruit juices will contain the same acidities, it only stands to reason sauce made from tomatoes will as well. However, that’s not all, tomato sauce has the power to stain your enamel over time. Raisins- This sticky fruit may have some nutritional values but when it comes to oral health, they are not good for your teeth. Miscellaneous- Coffee, tea, chocolates and other various high acidity, high staining elements must be regarded with moderation. No one is saying to never eat or drink these items ever again, rather than to just raise your awareness. Being aware of your teeth and how the things you eat and drink might affect them. There are things you can do to help protect your teeth beyond your daily oral hygiene routine. Drinking milk can help to neutralize acids and chewing sugar-free gum for 10 minutes can also minimize potentially harmful build-up of acidic bacteria. Always follow the daily dental care routine recommended by your dentist. If you need help building an oral care routine,contact Kanehl Dentalat www.kanehldental.com today!
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