Tooth Decay: Since childhood, one phrase that we don’t like to hear is “don’t eat sweets much, they damage your teeth.” Especially children get tired of listening to this. But how true is this statement?
We asked a dentist in Chandra Nagar about the same and he replied “yes.” Eating more sugary foods can wear off the minerals in the tooth enamel. Of course, this may not happen at once but gradually, with prolonged eating of too many sweets.
How can sugar cause tooth decay?
A dental hospital in Hyderabad explains to its patients why sugary foods are a big NO to teeth. When you eat sweets /sugary foods, the harmful bacteria in your mouth digest them and form acids. These acids attack the minerals on the tooth enamel. But the fluoride and calcium from water, toothpaste and our saliva can naturally repair and replace the lost minerals.
When the intake of sugar or sweets increases, more harmful acids are produced and so is the mineral depletion. This wears out the tooth enamel and gradually decaying starts. Small holes called cavities develop especially on the molars. When the sugars reach these holes, the nerves in the tooth are poled and it causes tooth pain.
What happens when the cavities are left untreated?
According to a dental clinic in Kukatpally, cavities are tiny holes in the teeth which can enlarge upon neglect. These holes collect up the food and form debris. With time, tooth pain, and sensitivity to hot and cold foods develop. Eventually, your tooth needs an extraction, in some cases!
Superfoods that prevent tooth decay and save teeth?
Fibre-rich fruits and vegetables increase saliva production which saves teeth from decaying in return. Also, calcium and fluoride intake can prevent gum diseases and strengthen the teeth. Dentists recommend chewing sugarless gummies can also produce more saliva.
Our mouth constantly experiences demineralizing and remineralizing which we don’t notice. The only thing we can do is to support it with good foods that increase overall oral health.
