Routine brushing can help prevent enamel loss and tooth decay.
Enamel is the tough coating on your teeth that protects them from injury or damage. When the enamel is damaged or scraped away, it leads to pain and further decay. While enamel is strong, even stronger than bone, it can be damaged by various substances and actions in everyday life. Exposure to food and drink is one of the most common culprits of enamel loss, but even how hard you brush, and the type of brush you use can damage your enamel. If you’re looking for ways to limit the damage you do to your enamel, follow these tips.
Avoid Acids
There are several foods and drinks you should avoid, including soda, citrus, and alcohol. These often contain sugars, acids, or both, which can wear away your enamel. The sugar in regular soda is only part of the problem, however. Even sugar-free soda and seltzer can wear away enamel because of the carbonation. Citrus is likewise sugary and acidic. Finally, alcohol is often sugary or part of a sugary drink, though some, like red wine, are acidic. Either way, none of it is good for your teeth.
Rinse After The Bad Stuff
While some foods can help brighten your smile, some are dangerous to your enamel. When you indulge in the bad stuff, make sure that you sip water and swish out the abrasive elements. If you’re eating or drinking sugar, drink water at the same time. The same goes for drinking soda or alcohol. If drinking water doesn’t excite you, you can also just swish: the point is to rinse away the sugars and acids. Chewing gum is another way to rinse your mouth since it stimulates saliva production.
Perfect Your Brush Routine
You already know you should brush twice a day and floss daily as part of your dental hygiene routine, but it can still be perfected to limit the damage. Specifically, if you eat or drink something acidic (which we do in most meals), you should wait at least 30 minutes to brush. Brushing right away can actually cause more damage. You should also brush gently and use an extra-soft toothbrush.
Work On Your Health
Finally, certain medical conditions like GERD and bruxism can contribute to enamel loss. Acid from the reflux of GERD damages teeth, as does the grinding motion of bruxism. Treating these conditions should be part of your dental health goal. You should also consider increasing dairy consumption, specifically cheese. It is a great after-dinner treat, but eating it provides you with calcium and phosphorus while also increasing saliva production.
You Can Trust Olney Dental for All of Your Dental Care Needs
For all of your oral care questions and concerns, Olney Dental has the expertise and professionalism to get them the answers they need. Olney Dental is ready to supply you with expert service in a professional environment. Schedule an appointment online today! For more information on how we can give your family the best dentist experience available, give us a call at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online. For more dental tips, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest.