Diet and our teeth

Diet and our teeth

Normally our oral cavity PH is neutral .Every time we eat or drink anything sugary, our teeth are under acid attack for at least fifty five minutes. Acids are formed due to sugar reaction with the bacteria in plaque. So it is of great importance to cut down on sugary foods frequencies intake, to reduce the amount of time our teeth are at risk.

Acid wears away the outer most layer of the tooth which is called enamel, and will make dentine layer exposed, which makes our teeth sensitive to cold or hot or even sometimes to air condition.

Healthy food which is rich in vitamins, minerals, can help to prevent gum disease..

Snacks

It is always better for your teeth and general health if you stick to daily regular meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)  plus no more than two snacks. If you do need to snack between meals, choose foods that do not contain sugar such as:

-Raw vegetables

-Nuts

-Cheese

-Breadsticks.

 Sweets

It’s important to remember that it is not the amount of sugar you eat or drink, but how often you do it. Sweet foods are allowed, but it is important to keep them to mealtimes.  Avoid sweet snakes.

 Chewing gum

Chewing gum makes our mouth produce more saliva, that helps to dilute out the acid in our mouth after eating or drinking. Using sugar-free chewing gum after meals can prevent tooth decay. However, it is important to use only sugar-free gum, and even with that try not to chew for long periods of time doing that can have bad effect on Temporomandibular joint

Do we brush teeth after every meal?

Eating and drinking naturally attacks your teeth enamel,  brushing straight after eating or drinking results in  tiny particles of enamel to be brushed away. It is best not to brush your teeth until at least one hour after eating

It is of importance to brush your teeth last thing at night and on at least one other occasion with a fluoridated toothpaste. I would consider that the best times are before breakfast and before you go to bed.

Brushing before bed is of great importance because the flow of saliva in your mouth, which is your  own cleaning system, slows down during the night and this leaves your teeth more at risk from decay.