Balance Your Mouth’s Acid Levels for a Healthier Smile
Quite often, sugar is branded as public enemy No. 1 against your oral health. While sugar does fan the flames of oral diseases, acid may play an even bigger role in your mouth’s hygiene according to researchers. Acid directly erodes your tooth enamel, which is a protective shell that cannot be naturally replenished once it’s depleted. The bacteria that cause cavities, like Streptococcus mutans, love to live in acidic environments too! So, if you are consuming lots of acidic foods and drinks, the number of bacteria increases, and they excrete an acid that, again, erodes the teeth. This erosion can result in tooth sensitivity, greater risk for cavities, discoloration, and in severe cases, tooth loss. The American Dental Association cites sugary and carbonated beverages, such as sodas, energy drinks, and lemonades as the biggest culprits of acidic erosion. So, how do we neutralize this acid? Baking soda is a great tool that most of us have in our fridge or freezer. Brushing with baking soda can help this process, once you get used to the salty taste. A tastier alternative that travels a bit better during your lunch hour are mints containing the natural sweetener called xylitol. While xylitol won’t directly prevent decay, it will reduce the acid levels in your mouth, thus decreasing the bacteria that cause cavities. In addition to regular cleanings and xylitol, it’s vital to think about what you eat in terms of exposure. For instance, if I were to walk from my house to my car, I wouldn’t get sunburned. But if I were to walk around outside all afternoon, I’d get fried! Our “time in the sun” or time with acid in our mouths will determine the level of damage. So, if you must have your root beer, drink it quickly instead of sipping on it all day! What passes through your mouth on a daily basis determines your level of oral health. Learn additional dental hygiene tips and how the experts at Highland Springs Dental Care can help you and your family by calling 951.769.1616. Sudoku (Looking for sources of this handy ingredient? Xylitol is relatively common and can often be found in various gums and mints. Dr. Sabo’s personal favorite is Zellies!)
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