Nature’s scary. Watching the Discovery Channel for an hour
or two can teach us that. The nature that’s closer to you, however, can be
equally disturbing, if you look closely enough. Your mouth, for instance, is an
ecological forest that hosts over 600 identifiable kinds of bacteria. Some are
harmless, while others, like Streptococcus mutans, focus their energy on
systematically destroying your teeth. The more you feed them, the more they
metabolize, and the greater your risks become for developing
infectious tooth decay or other dental issues.
The Eating Habits of Oral Bacteria
When S. mutans and other bacteria accumulate in your mouth,
they form dental plaque to protect them from saliva as they proliferate. Like
all living things, these microbes eat and process the nutrients from your food
and beverages.
When S.
mutans feast on sugar, starches, and other carbohydrates, they convert them
into acids, which dissolve the enamel around your teeth and pave the way for
cavities. Every time you snack, your enamel can be exposed to acid, which
depletes your teeth of the minerals they need to maintain healthy enamel. Healthier Snacking Alternatives
You don’t have to cut sugar out of your diet completely to
avoid tooth decay. After all, other carbohydrates can still feed acid-producing
microbes. Instead, limit the amount of times you snack throughout the day, and
save the sugary desserts for after larger meals, like dinner. Consuming calciumand phosphate, the building blocks of tooth enamel, can help keep your teeth
well-protected. If you must snack, choose cheese, sugar-free yogurt, milk,
crunchy fruits, and green leafy vegetables to help keep your tooth enamel
strong and resilient.
Protection for Your Tooth Enamel
Does your toothpaste container say that it contains
fluoride? If not, your next one should. Fluoride is a mineral that binds to
tooth enamel—your teeth’s first line of defense against infectious mouth germs.
After the acids from your meal dissipate, your teeth can replenish their
minerals and fortify their weakened enamel. If acid erosion outpaces remineralization,
then enamel can develop holes that can’t be repaired. Fluoride toothpaste and
fluoride treatments help strengthen enamel in the face of acid erosion to
reduce the risk of cavity development.
About Your Grand Prairie Dentist:
Dr. Quinn Smith is a well-respected and highly experienced
general, cosmetic, restorative, and implant dentist in Grand Prairie, TX. He
takes a patient-first approach that starts from the moment patients enter
our Pecan Tree Dental office, and he
offers a three-year guarantee on all dental work that he performs. Whether
you’re a new or returning patient, you can schedule a consultation or your next
appointment with Dr. Smith by contacting
us at (972) 262-5111.
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