What you eat can affect your teeth!

Americans are consuming foods and drinks high in sugar and starches more often and in larger portions than ever before.  It is clear that "junk" foods, drinks and foods high in carbs and fats gradually have replaced nutrious beverages and foods for many people.

Alarmingly, a steady diet of sugary foods and drinks can ruin teeth, especially among those who snack throughout the day.  When sugar is consumed over and over again in large amounts the harmful effect on teeth supplies food for bacteria which produces acid.  The acid in turn can eat away the enamel on teeth.

Almost all foods have some type of sugar that cannot and should not be eliminated from our diets.  Many of them contain important nutrients and add enjoyment to eating.  But there is extra risks for tooth decay if your diet is hight in sugars and starches.  Starches can be found in everything from bread to pretzels to salad dressing, so read labels and plan carefully for a balanced and nutritious diet.

Reduce your risk of tooth decay:

• If you choose to consume sugary foods and drinks, do so with meals.  Saliva production increases during meals and helps neutralize acid production and rinse food particles from the mouth.
• Limit between-meal snacks.  If you crave a snack, choose nutritious foods, and consider chewing sugarless gum afterward.  Sugarless gum increases saliva flow and helps wash out food and decay-producing acid.
• Drink more water.  Consuming optimally fluoridated water can help prevent tooth decay.  If you're choosing bottled water, check the label for the fluoride content.
• Brush your teeth twice daily and floss daily  with ADA - Accepted dental products.
• See us regularly for dental check-ups.

Love Your Teeth This Valentine's Day

On Valentine’s Day, showing our love and appreciation for someone often is communicated with a heart-shaped box of scrumptious chocolate candy treats. Unbelievably, Americans buy more than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolates each year. Here are some other statistics about Valentine’s sweets:

• Americans spend $345 million for Valentine’s candy each year
• Approximately 58 million pounds of chocolate are consumed around Valentine’s Day
• The average American consumes between 10 and 12 pounds of chocolate each year; more than 60 percent of all chocolates in America are enjoyed by women
• About 8 billion candy hearts are sold between Feb. 1 and Feb. 14

While most of us are aware that consuming large amounts of candy during this holiday can contribute to a larger waistline, we may not think about how sweets impact our oral health.

Impact of Sweets on Your Teeth

Each time bacteria come into contact with sugar in your mouth, acid is produced, which attacks your teeth for at least 20 minutes. And the bacteria that cause cavities thrive in sweets and sodas. Cavities are caused by tooth decay that destroys the tooth structures and can affect both the enamel and the inner layer of the tooth.

Sweets That are Tough on Your Teeth

Some foods and candies create more problems for your teeth than others, including those that are sticky, dissolve slowly or are sucked, such as lollipops, hard candies, toffee, gum drops, taffy, caramel corn, peanut brittle, dried fruit, chocolate-covered raisins and high-energy sports bars.

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

To maintain good oral health, brush your teeth at least twice a day, use floss daily, eat nutritious foods, limit snacks, including candy, pretzels, and chips, and visit Dr. Steppler regularly for cleanings and exams.

Protecting Tooth Enamel

There's a lot more that goes into a great smile than just keeping the pearly whites, white.  Protecting tooth enamel plays an important role in having a beautiful and healthy smile.

What is tooth enamel?

Enamel is the thin outer covering of the tooth.  It's the hardest tissue in the human body and it helps protect teeth from the wear and tear that comes with chewing, biting and grinding.  It also helps insulate teeth from hot and cold, making it possible to enjoy ice cream or hot coffee.  While enamel is hard, it can chip or crack.  Once the enamel layer is lost, it cannot regenerate.

What causes enamel erosion?

Enamel erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth, which can lead to the loss of tooth structure.  The calcium that's in saliva will usually help strengthen teeth after you have a small amount of acid, but too much acid prevents that from happening.  Enamel erosion can be caused by a number of things:

• Excessive consumption of carbonated drinks - sodas and other carbonated drinks
• Fruit drinks (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid)
• Dry mouth or low salivary flow
• Diet (high in sugar and starches)
• Acid reflux disease
• Gastrointestinal problems
• Medications (aspirin, antihistamines)
• Genetics (inherited conditions)
• Environmental factors (friction, wear and tear, stress and corrosion)

Protecting Tooth Enamel

There are some simple things that you can do to help take care of your enamel and keep your teeth healthy:

• Brush and floss daily.
• Use fluoride toothpaste.
• See Dr. Steppler for regular check-ups and cleanings.
• Drink sodas in moderation.
• Be careful about other beverages also.
• Sip with a straw (helps acids from acidic drinks to bypass your teeth).
• Be mindful of snacking.
• Chew sugar-free gum.

Taking good care of your teeth lets you show off a great smile - and a healthy mouth - for a long time!