While the majority of us may think that our teeth are in good condition, regular check-ups at dental practices such as Pure Dentistry are vital. With routine maintenance, you can tackle and treat problems early on and the earlier your dentist spots these problems, the less difficult and less expensive the treatment becomes. Dental cavities are just one of the issues that could lead to further costly complications if left untreated. While cavities are largely preventable with regular dental check-ups, did you know that the foods that you eat play a big part in oral hygiene and could be the main culprit in developing them?
How Can Food Affect My Teeth?
Empty calorie foods like candy can cause dental concern, largely due to the quantity and kind of sugar that they contain. The bacteria in your mouth feed off these sugars, releasing acids, leading to dental cavities among other potential issues. Even nutritious foods can have an adverse effect on your overall dental health. Foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits are notoriously acidic and are known to cause negative effects on tooth enamel. However, this doesn’t mean you have to eliminate these foods from your diet entirely. Instead, it’s recommended that these foods are eaten as part of a meal and not on their own as a snack.
How to Reduce the Risk of Cavities Caused by Food
There are plenty of measures you can take so you can still eat the foods that you enjoy while maintaining good dental health. Practicing good dental hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day can remove food particles from your teeth, and keeping sugar in your diet to a minimum all play a role in minimizing the risk of cavities. Visiting your dental practice for regular check-ups is also essential in staying cavity-free. As some plaque cannot be removed through brushing and flossing alone, your dentist will be able to deep-clean the build-up of plaque that you’re unable to reach leaving your teeth squeaky clean!
