Calgary Dentist — It is hard to always think about the effects certain foods and beverages have on our bodies before consuming them. In an ideal world, you would hear warning bells in your head and a voice that enumerates the risks of certain foods to your body before you eat them, but this world is far from that. The best we could do is conduct research regarding that stuff and do our best to educate ourselves.
For the most part, if you know how to limit yourself to foods that might be bad for you, you won’t experience the full effect of the damage that they might entail. Since our focus is mainly on oral health, we will inform you about the foods and beverages that are bad for your teeth and oral health in general. When it comes to oral health, it is a known fact that foods and beverages with low pH levels contribute greatly to the damage to your enamel.
Why are acidic foods bad for the teeth? — Calgary Dentist
Acidic foods are bad for your teeth because they slowly destroy the hard, outer layer of your teeth—your enamel. Tooth enamel is in charge of protecting your teeth from decay and damage. When the enamel is destroyed, it is impossible to rebuild it; that is why you should always make an effort to protect it before it’s too late.
Acidic foods such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, pickles, and many more can cause tooth decay and tooth discolouration because of the eroded enamel. To fix a damaged tooth like this, you might need to undergo a tooth restoration(fillings or crowns). Apart from acidic foods, beverages like coffee, soda, and wine are bad as well. This is because they heavily contribute to the staining of your teeth which results in yellowish teeth. Many of these foods and drinks bring immense pressure onto your tooth enamel which causes it to become overwhelmed. To be able to protect your enamel, you need to regulate your intake of foods that have low pH levels.
If you really want to eat acidic foods then remind yourself to rinse your mouth with water to dilute the acid that lingers in your mouth. If you want to fully rid your mouth of its acidic taste, you can choose to brush your teeth; although you will need to wait 30 minutes before you brush because your enamel is weakened by the acid so your teeth are still sensitive. Don’t forget to always practice moderation and proper oral hygiene because it will always come in handy when it comes to keeping your teeth healthy, clean, and fresh. Aside from that, it is also encouraged to visit the dentist near you every six months for general dental care that includes professional dental cleaning and exam.
What are the signs of dental erosion? — Calgary Dentist
Dental erosion starts to happen when the teeth are constantly exposed to harmful acids because of too much consumption of acidic and sugary foods such as soda and sticky or powdered candies. The sugar starts to get converted into harmful acids which cause teeth to erode. One sign of dental erosion is when you experience severe tooth sensitivity when your teeth are exposed to extremely hot or cold foods or beverages or even weather. If it becomes too severe, you might even need to undergo a root canal treatment in NE Calgary or even tooth removal.
Another is when your teeth start to get discoloured and appear yellowish. This is a common sign of dental erosion because when the enamel erodes, the dentin (hard bony tissue of a tooth, beneath the enamel) becomes exposed and the teeth start appearing yellowish in colour. Eventually, when the enamel has completely eroded, tooth decay and cavities happen. If left unchecked and untreated, it can cause worse dental problems in the future. If you are experiencing these signs, don’t hesitate to call us or book an appointment by filling out our appointment request form.