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Need to know how sugar affects your dental health?
You want to keep your teeth in the best shape possible, but you also want to enjoy sugar around the holidays and have the occasional sweet. You may be wondering, how does sugar affect your dental health?
Sugar by itself does not damage teeth, but when it combines with bacteria that live in the mouth, it can lead to tooth decay. During the holidays, there are often plates of cookies and cakes to enjoy, and it’s a wonderful part of celebrating with friends and family. Even though sugar can be harmful, it’s important to remember that if you establish good habits and have a balanced diet, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying sweet treats.
How Bad is Sugar for My Teeth?
As mentioned, when sugar combines with bacteria in the mouth, that’s when it becomes harmful. When these certain types of bacteria feed on sugars in the mouth it produces acids that erode your tooth enamel. This is this same type of effect that happens with carbohydrates, meaning foods like bread and crackers can also cause tooth decay.
Our mouths are constantly producing saliva, which is known to have restorative effects against decay. However, when this damage is repeated and the acid continues to attack your enamel, that’s when cavities form. If you don’t actively work to treat cavities, it can cause serious problems and — in the worst case — lead to tooth loss.
Do not panic if you’re worried about your dental health this holiday season. There are several things you can do to stay on top of this problem and have a bright smile.
May Your Smile Be Merry and Bright
Tooth decay is reversible in its early stages, and a large part of reversing and avoiding tooth decay is fluoride. Fluoride is a natural mineral found in water and certain toothpaste that fights against the development of cavities. Brushing your teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste is a great way to combat the effects of sugar.
In addition to brushing, you should floss once a day to get the food particles out from between your teeth. You should also keep your water bottle nearby and stay hydrated. When your body is hydrated, you will have healthy saliva production, and that means your mouth can wash away bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Having a healthy, balanced diet that includes raw fruits and vegetables is another great way to maintain saliva production. So in between Christmas cookies, have a fresh fruit smoothie or a salad full of greens to keep your dental hygiene in great shape.
Of course, another essential part of dental care is regularly visiting a dentist. If you’re looking for a dentist in Northeast Ohio, call Dr. Marino & Associates and Dr. Nassif & Associates.
About Dr. Marino & Associates and Dr. Nassif & Associates
Dr. Marino & Associates | Dr. Nassif & Associates is a dedicated team serving Northeast Ohio in all things dental care. Their office offers services such as teeth cleaning and whitening, digital X-rays, radiography, dental implant surgery, orthodontic care, emergency dental care, and more.
People trust Dr. Marino & Associates and Dr. Nassif & Associates for a reason. They help patients maintain a clean and healthy smile, whatever their needs may be. This office offers a range of payment plans, including CareCredit, the nation’s leading patient payment program. They want to ensure that no one is denied the dental care they need due to financial barriers. They also accept most preferred provider organization (PPO) dental insurance coverage. If you’re wondering if you’re insurance is accepted, call the office at (888) 315-9091
It’s time to take care of your dental health, and you want a trusted team to give you the best advice. Reach out to Dr. Marino & Associates and Dr. Nassif & Associates, or learn more by visiting https://www.marinonassif.com/ today.