When it comes to taking good care of your teeth and oral health, much of the focus revolves around cleaning your teeth on a consistent basis. While consistently clean teeth are the basis of a healthy smile, your oral health relies on more than just your toothbrush and floss. The key to good preventive care is to keep your teeth strong and prevent oral bacteria from harming them, which also requires feeding them the nutrients they need and avoiding substances that can directly harm them.
A closer look at your teeth
Your teeth have a lot of layers, the outermost one of which is also their main defense against things like oral bacteria and plaque buildup. Known as enamel, this outer layer is highly mineralized, and the specially formulated mineral strands make up the most resilient substance that your body produces. However, when bacteria produce harmful substances, like acids, and secrete them onto your tooth enamel, the substances sap your teeth essential minerals and weaken the enamel around them. Depending on your eating habits, you may be promoting faster enamel erosion than the rate at which your teeth can remineralize it.
Things to avoid for your teeth’s sake
When it comes to your diet and teeth, one of the most common and well-known warnings is to control your sweet tooth and avoid eating too much sugar. Sugar, itself, isn’t the biggest threat, however; it’s the acids that certain oral bacteria metabolize it into. It also metabolizes other carbs into similar substances, and the more you snack throughout the day, the more likely you are to keep exposing your teeth to these acids. Avoid overly processed foods packed with empty carbs as well as those that are rich in sugar, and develop a snacking routine that limits the frequency with which you expose your teeth.
Things that your teeth need more of
In addition to keeping your teeth safe from harmful substances, your oral health also depends on feeding your teeth the healthy minerals and nutrients they need. For instance, your tooth enamel is made almost entirely of calcium, as well as several other healthy minerals. This means eating more foods such as dairy products, like milk and sugar-free yogurt, can help you keep your teeth strong and remineralize faster after being depleted by harmful oral bacteria.
Learn more about caring for your teeth
Caring for your smile means more than just practicing good hygiene, but also healthier eating habits to give your teeth the nutrients they need. To learn more, schedule an appointment with us by calling Dreem Dentistry in Leawood, KS, today at 913-681-5500. We also serve patients who live in Overland Park and all surrounding communities.
