Boise Dental Tips For Preventing Acid Damage

Everyone knows that sugar is damaging to your teeth. But how does sugar actually do the damage? It may be interesting to know that the main culprit isn’t the sugar itself, rather it’s the acid it produces. When you eat or drink something sugary, the bacteria in your mouth begins to feed off the sugar creating acid that eats away at your tooth enamel.

The good news? Your mouth is constantly working to fight acid damage. In fact, the saliva in your mouth contains important minerals like calcium and phosphates that work to naturally repair your teeth. While adequate saliva is a good thing, it can’t protect your teeth singlehandedly…

That’s why the Boise dentists at Summit Dental would like to provide you with the following tips to help minimize the effects of acid damage:

• Cut down on sugary drinks like juice and soda. While it may be hard at first, it’s important to reduce your intake of sugary drinks and replace them with water or dairy-rich products that help to protect and strengthen teeth.
• Drink with a straw. It’s okay to indulge in a sugary drink every so often. When you do, however, it’s important to use a straw to prevent sugary liquids from making contact with your teeth.
• Drink plenty of water. Water helps to rinse and wash away acid leftover from certain foods and drinks more quickly.
• Wait to brush. While it may seem like a good idea to brush your teeth right away, it’s important to wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking acid rich foods. The reason? Acid softens your enamel and brushing your teeth can wear it away even further.
• Prevent stomach acid from entering the mouth. If you suffer from heartburn, acid reflux or frequent vomiting, it’s important to talk with a doctor about treatment to prevent these conditions from interfering with your oral health.

Regular dental checkups and cleanings are essential when it comes to preventing and catching tooth decay caused by acid damage. For more information on ways to prevent or treat acid damage contact Summit Dental at (208) 314-2275. Our dedicated team of dental professionals would be more than happy to set up an appointment and answer any questions you may have.