The Truth About Your Teeth

Our teeth are important in proper speech delivery, proper digestion and food appreciation. These are also important in maintaining good self-image. Often, many of us fail to take care of our dentition properly. With proper understanding of dental disease and by following good oral hygiene, dental caries, gum disease with its accompanying pain and bad breath can be prevented.

Dental decay is caused by the breakdown of sugar into acid by bacteria. The acid attacks the enamel creating a minute cavity. In time, the dental decay progresses further into the dentin and the pulp. The basic rule for preventing dental decay is through a healthy diet containing as little sugar as possible. Studies show that the Eskimos rarely had incidences of tooth decay until they switched to a high sugar Western style diet. Moreover, dental decay was not rampant among the European population during World War II because of the scarcity of sugar supplies. Evidently, sugar plays a major role in the incidence rate of dental caries. The love of sweet foods is not a very healthy habit but it can be reversed or controlled. It is always a good practice as parents to let your children know the disadvantages of having a sweet tooth and curbing the habit early in life, while they are still young, will prove beneficial. Be mindful of what your children eat and drink. Give them water instead of soft drinks. It is more thirst quenching and healthy without the added disadvantages of the excessive sugar that is commonly found in soft drinks. Raw vegetables, bread, fruit or nuts are better and healthier snack alternatives than candies and cookies that contain a lot of sugar.

Studies show that the amount of sugar that enters into the mouth is less important than the frequency of sugar ingestion. The saliva can repair small amounts of damage caused by the acid formed by the bacteria and sugar interaction in the mouth. However, if the teeth are constantly bathed in sugar, the saliva's capacity to repair minor damage will become useless and the repair process will be halted. This is why ingestion of sugar in between meals is more damaging than when taken during mealtimes. Frequent sugar intake between meals will prolong the teeth's exposure to sugar.

In order to minimize dental decay, proper dental care is necessary. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day although doing it after every meal is highly recommended. It is even advisable to brush and floss your teeth after eating snacks, since food taken during these times are often high in sugar and starch like pastries and cakes. Always keep a travel toothbrush handy. Proper tooth brushing techniques, the use of dental floss and mouthwashes can remove plaque build-up. Plaque is a sticky thin film containing bacteria, food particles and saliva. When this sticky film is left on the tooth's surface, over time there will be a bacterial breakdown of sugar into acid that will jeopardize the enamel's integrity and starts dental caries.

A regular visit to the dentist is necessary in order to maintain and preserve your oral health. Always take care of your teeth and maintain that beautiful smile till you grow old.