The past three articles in the series have looked at the bad habits that make it easy for you to develop cavities in your teeth. In the final part of the series, we look at a few other habits that make it hard for you to see the dental “promised land.”
Over-enthusiastic Teeth Whitening
studies show that more than 80 percent of American adults aged between 18 and 49 years desire whiter teeth.
Teeth whitening agents contain bleach, which is the main ingredient. This bleach is the one that removes the stains and discoloration. While it hasn’t been established if bleach erodes enamel, it has been unanimously established that using bleaching agents on your teeth for an extended period will erode the enamel, exposing the nerves and blood vessels.
Additionally, teeth whitening agents contain abrasive agents that can scratch the enamel. When used over and over, these scratches become cracks and eventually make the tooth prone to breaking. This is why you need to visit a dental office in Brooklyn to understand when it is right to whiten your teeth.
Sports Drinks
Experts usually recommend sports drinks in place of soda. However, these drinks cause similar problems to soda. They also contain lots of acid and sugar. Sugars are the main precursors of acid-producing bacteria, making them make a haven in your mouth.
Instead of imbibing on sugar-loaded energy drinks, opt for water instead.
Fruit Juice
We have all heard the advice of taking fruit juice, that it is good for our health. True, fruit juices, depending on the type of fruits used, contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals. All these ingredients are often neutralized by the high amounts of sugar added to sweeten the juice.
Studies show that apple juice has a lot of sugar, even more than what is added to soda. For you to reduce the effect of the sugars on your teeth, try diluting the juice with water to minimize the exposure of sugar to the teeth. If your teeth have already been damaged, then a visit to a dental office in Brooklyn should be a priority.
Potato Chips
Cavities lead to complications such as tooth loss and more. When we talk about potato chips to many of our clients, they usually think we are making things up, but we aren’t.
Potato chips are full of carbohydrates, and the digestive process in the mouth usually breaks down the carbohydrates to form sugar. Bacteria feed on the sugar, and they multiply in your mouth. The result is a buildup of plaque. When the plaque hardens, it becomes tartar. This tarter is hard to remove and needs the services of a specialized dentist.
It is always advisable to first, prevent bacteria from multiplying in your mouth, and second, stop plaque from forming.
Additionally, when you consume potato chips, they break down in your mouth into tiny shards. These shards are sharp and will cut the sensitive tissues in your gums. Gums are hard to heal, and when they have micro-cuts, an infection can set in very fast.
Constant Snacks
It is a good thing to snack regularly, as this keeps your sugar levels high, especially for patients who have diabetes. However, constant snacking also builds up food particles in your mouth. The food in the mouth is the one that acts as a food source for bacteria. Try and minimize the number of times you snack in a day so that you don’t give the bacteria the time to proliferate.
Chewing on Hard Items
We often chew on items when we are nervous or concentrating. Chewing places a lot of pressure on the teeth; this leads to fractures or chips with time.
If you have developed the habit of biting on items, you can substitute it with sugarless gum to reduce damage to the teeth. Chewing gum stimulates the production of saliva, which in turn helps to neutralize acidity in the mouth and cleans the teeth as well.
Finally…Binging on Coffee
A morning cup of coffee is usually the best way to start the day. Unfortunately, the consumption of coffee will slow down the production of saliva in your mouth. When you take the coffee for long, you end up with dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay.
Adding sugar to the coffee increases the risk of cavities. If you wish to counteract the effect of coffee in your mouth, make sure you drink water constantly.
For more tips on what to do to avoid cavities and tooth loss, visit a dental office in Brooklyn today.
