One of the most eagerly awaited holidays of the year, Halloween, is quickly approaching. This holiday is second only to Easter in terms of the amount of sugar that children, teenagers, and even adults consume. The issue with this is that sugar is the preferred food of the dangerous bacteria that inhabit our mouths, making it extremely detrimental to our oral health to consume all of these sweets.
Every time we eat sugar, the bacteria in our mouths enjoy a large, delicious meal before excreting acid onto our teeth. This is the reason if you’ve ever experienced an unpleasant sour taste or grit after eating dessert. Even though enamel is the hardest substance in our bodies, it is very susceptible to acid erosion, which means the acid can cause a lot of harm to our tooth enamel.
Of course, there are things we can do to reduce the damage sugar does to our teeth. For instance, if we eat small amounts of candy throughout the day, our saliva doesn’t have enough time to neutralize the acids and wash away the sugar, so it’s healthier for our teeth to consume a day’s worth of candy all at once.
Sugars left in your mouth after eating a treat can be washed away by drinking water, and there are also foods that can help clean your teeth and improve your oral health. In addition to providing essential vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and D, apples, bananas, vegetables, and even dark chocolate assist in cleaning teeth!
If you ask your Miami dentist, they’ll also tell you that maintaining a regular routine of brushing and flossing is also essential in the battle against enamel erosion. Just remember to wait 30 minutes after eating candy before brushing, giving your saliva enough time to neutralize all that acid.
To learn more about the benefits of holistic dentistry in Miami and how to create healthy habits for a healthier you, please visit Assure a Smile online or call our friendly front desk at 305-723-9589.
