Tips to Counter Impacts of Sweet Overdose on Teeth During Festivals
The end-of-year holidays are packed with sugary treats. It is impossible to avoid indulging in sugary desserts, cookies, cakes, candies, and sodas during the festive season. However, consuming these treats can lead to oral health issues. Read on to learn how you can enjoy your sweets and avoid oral health problems.
How Does Sugar Impact Teeth?
You probably heard that sugar harms your dental health but do not know how or why. It is because you may not immediately notice the effect on your teeth when you take sugary foods or drinks. However, according to the dentist in Wall Township, NJ, the impact on oral health is gradual.
Your mouth has bacteria that combine with starch from what you eat to produce plaque. Plaque is a thin film full of bacteria and acids that coat your teeth’s surface. When you do not clean your mouth to remove it, the acids start damaging your teeth.
They erode the protective covering on your teeth known as the enamel, in a process named demineralization. When the enamel is weakened, decay occurs, causing small holes known as cavities to form on the tooth. They cause toothache, tooth sensitivity, and difficulty eating.
Without cavity treatment, the holes enlarge and spread into the inner parts of the tooth. As a result, they may reach the root canals leading to a tooth infection. Tooth infections cause extreme pain and may lead to gum disease and tooth loss.
Fortunately, tooth decay does not occur every time you take sugary things. Your saliva contains calcium and phosphate, which reverse the damage to your teeth. It also helps to balance your mouth’s pH by neutralizing the acids that destroy your tooth enamel.
How Can You Keep Your Teeth Healthy as You Enjoy Your Holiday Sweets?
Now that you know the effects of sugar on your teeth, you may be wary of eating sugared treats. Fortunately, you do not need to stress about avoiding sweets. Instead, below are some instructions to help you take care of your teeth as you enjoy the festivities.
- Maintain proper oral hygiene
Brushing your teeth at least twice daily and flossing once daily are important. When you brush, you remove the food debris from the surface of your teeth preventing plaque formation. Flossing helps get rid of food particles and bacteria hiding between your teeth. Rinsing your mouth with mouthwash or water also helps to reduce bacteria in the mouth.
Ensure that you brush before bed every day. This reduces the activity of acids on your teeth, preventing decay. Get the right toothbrush with soft bristles. Brush gently to avoid damaging your enamel. Also, use fluoride toothpaste that helps strengthen your teeth to reduce decay.
- Take plenty of water
Water flushes out food debris containing sugar from your mouth, preventing plaque formation. It also reduces the acids and bacteria in your mouth, preventing enamel damage. So, drink water throughout the day as you enjoy your sweets. Take some water after every meal. Swish it in your mouth to eliminate decay-causing bacteria and food particles.
- Eat sweets at the right time
The dentist in Wall Township, NJ, advises people to eat sweets when taking other foods. Therefore, you should only eat sweets during meals. Also, you can combine them with healthy nuts, fats, fibers, whole grains, or seeds. Doing so helps reduce the sugar and prevent its reaction with oral bacteria to form plaque.
Alternatively, you can save your treats and have them when you can brush your teeth right away. Brushing avoids keeping the sugar in your mouth for a long time. It helps reduce the risk of cavities and other oral health issues.
- Visit your dentist
Do not skip your regular checkups during the festive season. The dentist will clean your teeth to get rid of plaque. They will also examine your teeth for early signs of decay. If necessary, they will provide tooth decay treatment to prevent cavity formation. Visit the dentist if you notice signs of decay, such as tooth sensitivity, when taking hot, cold, or sugary treats.
You can schedule an extra dental appointment for you and your family at Susan J. Curley DDS. The dental experts will help prevent caries through cleaning, fluoride treatments, and sealants. In addition, if you have cavities, they will treat them to avoid further complications.