Did you know that acids found in food and liquids can have a harmful effect on your teeth? Each tooth has a hard, protective layer called the enamel. Acids can make the enamel soft, and when this happens repeatedly, your enamel will wear away and can never be restored naturally.
Here’s how to prevent cavities: If your teeth are regularly exposed to food with high acid content, the risk of getting cavities increases. Some examples of common acidic foods and beverages are:
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Bacteria in your mouth that feed on sugars can also create acid. Even snacking on fruits and vegetables slowly throughout the day can expose your teeth to acid damage!
The best way to prevent acid damage is to avoid snacking continuously throughout the day. If you snack constantly over the course of a day, your mouth environment doesn’t get a chance to “rest” from its acidic state, and you therefore become more susceptible to cavities. Flossing, rinsing with water and chewing sugar-free gum right after eating can also help. Nuts and dairy products are good foods for balancing out the acidity of your mouth.
On the other hand, brushing right after eating acidic foods is actually detrimental – it can actually damage the teeth since the enamel is still soft from contact with acid!
So remember: don’t constantly snack on acidic foods (even the ones that are good for you!) and rinse with water after eating to help prevent acid damage.
Until next time!
