If you are wise enough to practice moderation with your diet, and follow that up with the lifestyle choice of good oral hygiene, occasional dessert indulgences aren’t likely to cause a big problem with your dental health. Sometimes hidden sugars as well as hidden acid are real problems for the health of your smile, especially if your poor dietary choices become a regularity. Even reasonably health conscious patients can hear the words “you have a cavity” when they go to the dentist.
Acid in your Mouth
You are not born with Streptococcus Mutans (the bacteria that cause tooth decay) inside your mouth. Generally, babies pick up the bacteria from their parents and loved ones through affection and sharing food. Once the bacteria are present in your mouth, they need to eat to survive. S. mutans fuel of choice is sugar. Many people think that sugar directly causes cavities. However, S. mutans consume the sugar you eat, and then produce metabolic waste in the form of lactic acid.
Dietary Acid Damages Tooth Enamel
Diet sodas used to be in the health food column. Over time, we’ve learned that there could be problems with artificial sweeteners causing more harm than good. In fact, studies show that regular diet drink consumers actually tend to hold on to more weight than those who avoid diet soda. By fooling your body into thinking its consuming sugar, cravings for unhealthy foods may run rampant. In regards to your oral health, diet sodas are not good for your teeth. Their high-acidity softens tooth enamel, providing a breeding ground for decay. Other acidic beverages include white wine, sports drinks, and lemon-flavored iced teas. Going easy on these thirst quenchers will make it harder for the bacteria that cause cavities to do their worst to your smile.
ABOUT YOUR WILMETTE DENTIST:
Dr. Brent Engelberg and his highly-skilled team proudly serve patients and their families from Arlington Heights, IL, and all surrounding communities, including; Northbrook, Deerfield, Highland Park, Wilmette, Winnetka, Glencoe, Vernon Hills, Lincolnshire, Libertyville, Skokie, Evanston, Palatine, Schaumburg, Elk Grove Village, Rolling Meadows, and the Northern and Northwest Chicago Suburbs. To learn more, schedule a consultation online, or call our office today at 847-259-8030.
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