Many patients come into our St. Paul dental office for their six month teeth cleaning only to be frustrated that they have another cavity, again. These patients explain how they effectively brush and floss every morning and night, so why do they continually get cavities? At Maplewood Dental Associates, we hear this same frustration all the time, and we explain to our patients that oral hygiene is just one factor in overall dental health. Lifestyle, diet, and general health all play a role in our dental health.
The Truth About Cavities
In order for a cavityto form, two things must be present in your mouth: bacteria and sugar. Our mouths naturally house a number of different types of bacteria, some good and some bad. The bad bacteria feed on sugar and break it down into acid, which causes tooth decay. Sugar is introduced through the foods we eat and the beverages we drink. Although brushing and flossing helps remove bacteria from our teeth, if we aren’t eating foods low in sugar, we may not be able to prevent the majority of our cavities.
How Diet Affects Dental Health
What we eat and drink affects our dental health the most. The majority of patients already know that sugary foods can cause dental cavities. These may include foods and drinks like soda, candy, and desserts. Unfortunately, there are many healthy foods that can also cause cavities. If a food or drink can be broken down into a sugary substance, then it can contribute to tooth decay. Foods you may not expect to cause cavities include grains, fruits, and dairy. When we enjoy these foods, the bacteria in our mouths break them down into acid, which eventually eats away at the enamel on our teeth.
Our St Paul dentist wants to remind you that even though these foods are healthy, they shouldn’t be eaten constantly throughout the day. In fact, snacking is another dietary habit that can lead to tooth decay. For example, if you constantly snack on fruits or drink many cups of coffee with milk throughout the day, you are continually exposing your teeth to sugar. Instead, avoid excessive snacking, drink more water throughout the day, and eat foods low in sugar at set meals.
Schedule Your Next Teeth Cleaning at Maplewood Dental Associates!
Contact Maplewood Dental Associates, the best dentist in St. Paul, to schedule your next teeth cleaning. Do not hesitate to ask our staff about your oral hygiene, how you can improve it, and if there are other lifestyle habits that can help your overall dental health. We look forward to seeing you soon!