If you take great pride in your teeth and gums, you need to be sure that you are treating them they way they deserve. If you are not consistently careful about what you are eating and drinking, you could be damaging your teeth without even knowing about it.
Here are just a few different foods and substances that you may want to avoid if you want your pearly whites to stay looking that way. The first one you should avoid is sugars.
The problem with cutting back on sugar is that it hides in all different places of your diet, without you even knowing it. While you may have no problem saying no to candy bars, it may be tougher to avoid cereals and breads.
The thing that makes sugar so dangerous for teeth is the interaction that occurs when sugar mixes with the natural bacteria present in the mouth. Acid is produced when these two substances mix, increasing the rate of deterioration.
Occasionally, it is fine to enjoy your favorite sugary snacks. Just be sure to brush as soon as possible following your meal.
After all, decay begins immediately, so the longer you wait, the worse the effects will be. Do not drink soft drinks before bedtime, unless you floss and brush before going to sleep.
If you cannot brush right away for some reason, at least swish water around in your mouth and spit it out a few times. This will get rid of just a little bit of excess sugar on the surfaces.
Soda is the next thing that you should do away with right away. Studies have shown that different soft drinks affect your mouth in varying degrees.
Cola is the worst culprit. It is by far the most acidic, and creates ten times the decay of fruit juices.
If you are a soda addict, root beer has been found to be the least erosive of the beverages. Try limiting your amount, though, as it is still destructive.
Next, smoking takes a terrible toll on the health of your teeth and gums, and can even give you gum disease or even cancer of the mouth. In addition, it creates a breath odor that may be offensive to non-smokers, can damage the strength of your enamel, and contributes to the development of oral cancers.
If you are ready to quit, speak with your dentist or doctor concerning cessation programs. They can help you get started on the right path-the sooner you start the better.
Next, as much as you feel you might need it, coffee is quite destructive to your orally. Coffee does not do the same amount of permanent damage as sugar and soft drinks, but it does severely discolor them.
Since coffee may be your daily vice, explore other options for avoiding the discoloration effects of coffee. Sip it through a straw, which will be just as tasty if you are enjoying iced coffee.
You can also dilute it with milk or cream. It is the color of black coffee that creates the problem, so lightening makes a major difference.
As with other beverages, be sure to floss and brush your teeth right away after you finish. Last but not least, tea has corrosive effects on the enamel as well.
Black tea is just as bad for teeth discoloration as coffee. The good news is you can make the switch to other types of tea that are better for your oral health.
Try options like herbal, white, and green, all of which have additional health benefits, in addition to eliminating the effects of discoloration. If you have found that your past habits have created damage you cannot fix, try some whitening or bleaching.
It is generally quite safe, and your dentist can recommend what will work the best for you. Talk to them about any sensitivities you might have, as in some cases bleaching can create some minor discomfort.
Just be as careful as you can about regularly taking care of your oral health. You cannot discoloration completely, but you can do your best to slow the process, and undo what has already been done.
Talk to your dentist today about what your different options are, and what would be most cost effective for you. You can get started on the path to healthier, better looking teeth right away.
Jack Landry is a formal dental hygienist and has authored hundreds of articles relating to dental practice and procedures, and recommends this Bakersfield, CA Dentist.
Contact Info:
Jack R. Landry
JackRLandry@gmail.com
http://www. bakersfieldsmiledesign.com
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