The real enemy of our teeth is streptococcus bacteria that feeds of sugar and carbohydrates. Is sugar the real enemy of our teeth? It is high time to answer this question. Since we were young, our parents cautioned us to avoid eating too many sweets. We usually follow blindly even without sufficient knowledge and understanding.
Though we were warned about too much sugar since childhood, we never really understood why we’ve been told not to eat too many sweets. Our parents told us to avoid sweets but we never really knew for a fact how it is related to dental care.
The answer is pretty simple – not really. Ask any dental care professional and he/she will tell you that the cause of tooth decay is not really caused by too much sugar but rather, it is due to the acid produced by the streptococcus bacteria found in the mouth. The bacteria live on a biofilm (more commonly known as plaque) and feeds on the carbohydrates found in our food. Because the bacteria feeds on the food debris left inside the mouth after eating, the only way to control their growth is to ensure that the mouth is clean. Saliva was naturally designed to wash the food away. It also helps neutralize the acid created by the bacteria but unfortunately, there are times when the mouth becomes too acidic, the teeth gets demineralized and the rot sets in. Apparently, you will need to keep your mouth free of food debris and brushing is still the most effective way of dental care.
In a several researches, it was found that tooth decay was more connected to the frequency of eating than the amount of sugary foods consumed. This means that you can eat 3 bars of chocolates without worrying of tooth decay, as long as you make it a habit to eat during your regular meal hours and brush your teeth immediately. Frequent snacking harms the teeth more as it reintroduces food particles in your mouth which can then feed the bacteria for a longer time.
A study conducted by New York University Dental Care shows that chocolates and candies are not the only food which poses a threat to your dental health. Even wholesome food like bread and raisin can lead to tooth decay but the gravest threat comes from cooked starch since these cling to the teeth much longer and these have extended periods of acid production. To rid the mouth of the debris of potato chips and French fries, a quick gargle of water can go a long way. Better still is to attack the problem at its roots by regularly going to the dentist to remove away plaque.
Researches reveal that diet is one of the most important factors in the health of our teeth. For example, people who eat food which are rich in vitamin c and calcium have strong teeth and healthy gums. Calcium helps strengthen the outer layer of the teeth (also called the enamel) while vitamin c helps keep the gums healthy. If you wanted to save on dental care cost, then the solutions are simple -you should learn how to prepare a healthy meal from home and you should teach your kids the importance of dental care. Whoever thought that a daily glass of milk and an egg for breakfast are enough to prevent emergency dental care?
Knowing this, we now have a greater understanding of tooth decay and how we can prevent it. Regular brushing and flossing are still the most effective ways for dental care. They clear away food residue and more importantly, the plaque that harbour bacteria. Thus the mechanical disruption and removal of the bacteria starve the bacteria and keep their growth in check. The faster the bacterial plaque and food debris is removed from your mouth, the less chance it will feed the bacteria and cause tooth decay.
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