Our patient’s comfort and overall wellbeing are our top priority. At 22nd @ Taylor Dental Care, we aim to provide you with a comfortable and relaxing environment. We will exceed your expectations through professional results and our friendly staff. Dental health is not just about your mouth and teeth; your dental health is linked to your physical health.
At a very young age, we start to hear that sugar is bad for our teeth and oral health, but what exactly does it do to our teeth?
The dangers of sugar for your teeth
Your mouth is full of bacteria – some are beneficial, while others are harmful. Every time you consume sugar, the harmful bacteria feed on it, creating acids that attack and damage your tooth enamel – the shiny, protective layer of your teeth.
Along with creating enamel-eating acids, sugar also attracts the bacteria that cause gingivitis and gum disease. These diseases can cause your gums to recede away from your teeth and destroy the protective tissues that hold your teeth in place.
Your saliva is naturally designed to combat this damage as it contains essential minerals such as phosphates and calcium that are crucial in repairing your teeth, but there is only so much the remineralization process can do if you consume a lot of starches, sweets, or sugary beverages every day.
To allow your mouth the opportunity to do its natural job of repairing the damage and maintaining good oral hygiene, it is crucial that you do your part by limiting how much sugar you consume.
What you can do to consume less sugar?
There are some things you can do to limit the dangers of sugar on your teeth, beginning with how much sugar you are consuming. Most individuals consume approximately 100 grams of sugar each day, but we should strive to ingest no more than 48 grams – this is equal to roughly one bag of Skittles.
The first step is to be more mindful of your diet. You may not realize how much sugar you are actually eating on a daily basis, as many foods can have unexpectedly large amounts of sugar, or manufacturers use a different name to trick you into thinking the food isn’t packed with sugar.
What you can do to protect your teeth?
Try to eat more foods that are high in fiber and protein such as nuts, cheese, and leafy greens, to help promote strong teeth. Vegetables such as carrots and celery are even better for your teeth as they naturally remove plaque and bacteria from the surface.
Drinking plenty of water after eating promotes saliva production and helps clean your mouth from bacteria and food particles.
It is important to brush your teeth after consuming a snack or sweet treat to avoid letting sugary, sticky food sit in your mouth.
And of course, scheduling regular dental cleanings and check-ups can catch any early signs of tooth decay and help reduce or reverse the damage.
We cannot wait to meet you!
At 22nd @ Taylor Dental Care in Red Deer, we are passionate and driven to improve your physical health by treating your dentistry and oral hygiene needs. Dentistry for the whole family includes laser dentistry, orthodontics, cosmetic dentistry, sleep studies, sleep appliances, TMJ treatment, wisdom teeth removal, root canals, implants, Invisalign, and tongue ties. We are here to listen to your dental needs and provide you with options for your best dental health. We will show you the many links between the health of your mouth and your body. We have some incredible methods for making dentistry easy and comfortable. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for tips, updates, and dental education.
Give us a call to inquire – we’re happy to answer any questions you might have!
T: 403-358-6255