How To Minimize the Risk of Tooth Decay
Posted on April 20, 2009
Filed Under Risks |
If you have teeth, then you are at risk of getting tooth decay. However, we have identified the factors that increase the risk of getting tooth decay. All you have to do is avoid them.
Specific Food and Drinks
Some foods and drinks can do more harm to your teeth than others. The problem with fermentable carbohydrates is that they cling to the teeth for a long period of time. Fermentable carbohydrates include all sugars and cooked starches.
Do not be misled. Foods that seem to be the main cause of tooth decay like candy bars, jelly beans and caramels are easily washed away by saliva. But you should stay away from potato chips as they can stick to your teeth.
Here are more examples of foods and drinks that you should stay away from: milk, honey, table sugar, soda, raisins, cake, hard candy, breath mints, dried fruit, cookies, dry cereal, and bread.
As you can see, the foods and drinks mentioned above seem to be harmless but they can cause tooth decay. You probably can’t avoid them so just remember to thoroughly clean your teeth after eating the foods and drinks mentioned above.
Frequent Snacking and Sipping
It’s not how much sugary snacks you eat, it’s how often you eat them. You the more frequent you eat sugary food or drink sugary drinks, the more chances bacteria has to attack your teeth.
This is the reason why parents are discouraged to give babies milk formulas during bedtime. The sugar can stay on their teeth for a long time.
If you have a baby, make sure that you give him or her water after eating or after drinking milk.
The Water You Drink
Public water supplies contain fluoride that helps protect the teeth from tooth decay. The increased popularity of bottled water has a negative effect on teeth as most bottled water do not contain fluoride. On the other side of the coin, some bottled water contains too much fluoride and this could also cause problems. Check the label.
Unhealthy Gums
Receding gums that pull away from the teeth can cause problems as the teeth roots become exposed. Although teeth roots are naturally covered by cementum — a hard coating — this is easily depleted once the root surface is exposed. The next layer is dentin and that decays rather easily.
Dry Mouth
When your mouth is dry, that means there’s very little saliva. Saliva washes away food particles and plaque from teeth. It can even help repair tooth decay at its early stages. It can also inhibit the growth of bacteria and can neutralize acids. Saliva is good for your mouth.
Dental Fillings
Dental fillings don’t last forever. They can become weak and breakdown and the edges can become rough. Rough fillings or broken fillings can become a place for plaque to build up. Removing plaque deposited in these places can be difficult too.
Eating Problems
Anorexia and bulimia can result in damage to teeth and cavities. Digestive juices in the stomach can cause damage to the teeth when you vomit. Eating disorders can also lead to dry mouth and we know how important saliva is in maintaining healthy teeth.
Heartburn
Heartburn or GRD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder) can cause the acid in the stomach to flow into the mouth thereby damaging the teeth.
Intimate Contact
Kissing or sharing eating utensils can pass bacteria from one person to another. Don’t use the same spoon when feeding your babies or children.
Cancer Treatments
Radiation in the head and neck areas can lower the production of saliva and we know how important saliva is in maintaining healthy teeth.
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