Contrary to what you might think, oral health is much more than just brushing your teeth twice a day even though this is the main step. Besides this, regular dental visits are also important if you want to keep your oral health as good as possible. This way he can detect the issue and treat them as soon as possible.
Furthermore, we will even discuss the effect that the diet has on your teeth, focusing mainly on sugar. As you may have heard by now sugar is bad for your teeth but you might not know why. One important thing that you should know is that the sugar itself is not damaging but the bacteria thrive in these environments. By avoiding or limiting sugar intake you will prevent further oral issues and lessen the number of bacteria in your mouth, which will keep your teeth shiny and healthy.
Tooth decay causes tiny holes to form on the surface of your teeth, which progress to cavities in the deeper layers of your teeth. Even while little cavities might not seem like a big deal, if they are not addressed at the right time, they can cause infections, toothaches, and eventually even loss of teeth in the future.
Particularly in the early stages, the majority of people are unaware that they have cavities and that is why we emphasize the importance of regular dental checkups. This way you will be able to address cavities before they cause more serious problems with oral health.
Have you ever wondered what causes cavities in the first place? As we said before it is not the sugar itself that will damage your teeth but the bacteria that feeds in them. This bacteria that forms is resistant to saliva and brushing and it is also known as plaque. If you don’t regularly brush your teeth and maintain your oral health the bacteria will continue to grow and will start to feed into your tooth enamel.
These acids cause tiny holes in your enamel as they keep eating away at it. After that, the bacteria may enter these gaps and continue with the process. The dentin, which is softer and easier to penetrate than enamel, is the next layer of tooth material that they will ultimately reach and damage. This will cause severe pain and tooth sensitivity that will lead to your jawbone as time passes.
Sugar provides the nutritional supply that bacteria require. These bacteria can find even a little layer of sugar on your teeth to be a feast, which can accelerate their growth and make plaque easier to build. The likelihood of cavities and tooth decay increases with the amount of sugar consumed.
One important part of the tooth decay process is the dental plaque. This is a sticky, colorless film that covers the surface of the teeth and is made of food particles, saliva, and harmful bacteria.
This process happens when teeth are cleaned regularly and it will harden over time forming into tartar. After this layer is formed the bacteria will be protected more and it will be more difficult to be removed. Furthermore, we will explain in detail the stages of cavities and caries development:
Enamel is the sort of tissue that makes up your teeth’s outer covering which is the toughest tissue in your body is enamel and it consists mostly of minerals. Nevertheless, the enamel of a tooth starts to lose these minerals when it is exposed to the acids that the plaque bacteria create. One of your teeth may develop a white spot as a result of this. The first indication of tooth decay is this region of mineral loss.
Once the process is not stopped and continues to develop the enamel will break down further causing more damage. During this stage, you will notice that the color of the spots which is white will turn into brown or dark color. Dental caries, also known as cavities, are tiny holes that can occur in your teeth as a result of enamel erosion. After they are formed they will need to be filled professionally by a dentist.
The tissue underneath the enamel is called dentin. Because it is softer than enamel, acid damage might do greater harm to it. As a result, when dental decay reaches the dentin, it advances more quickly.
Additionally, dentin has tubes that connect to the tooth’s nerves. This is why you may start to feel sensitive when tooth decay affects the dentin. This could be especially noticeable while consuming hot or cold meals or beverages.
The tooth’s pulp is its deepest layer. It has blood vessels and nerves that support the tooth’s health. The pulp’s nerves supply the tooth with feeling as well. In these cases, the pulp may get inflamed and begin to swell when injury occurs. Pressure on the nerves may result from the surrounding tissues in the tooth being unable to enlarge to accommodate the swelling. Pain may result from this.
Bacteria can infiltrate the pulp of teeth as decay progresses, leading to an infection. An abscess, which is a pocket of pus that forms at the base of your tooth, can result from increased inflammation in your teeth. Severe discomfort from tooth abscesses may go into the jaw. Fever, enlarged lymph nodes in your neck, and swelling of your gums, cheeks, or jaw are some other symptoms like this might also be present.
Treatment for a tooth abscess must be received as soon as possible since the infection can spread to other parts of the head and neck, including the jaw bones. Treatment in certain situations can entail extraction of the afflicted tooth.
Your mouth is prepared to help you fight bacteria but you will need to learn how to take care of it to prevent any damage. Some of the processes that your mouth does to support your teeth from decay can be:
Your saliva acts as a barrier to keep food particles and bacteria off of your teeth and it removes several undesirable microorganisms and food particles from your teeth with each swallow.
On the other hand, a lot of meals in today’s world are quite good at sticking to your teeth. Sugar-coated teeth can result from ice cream, soda, dried fruit, and even milk, which can be challenging for saliva to naturally remove from teeth. It is highly recommended to avoid sugar intake as much as you can and when you consume it you should brush your teeth.
Acids break down the mineral content of your tooth enamel, making it brittle and easier to penetrate. Saliva, on the other hand, supplies a variety of minerals that help your enamel regain its mineral content throughout the remineralization process. To strengthen your tooth enamel this process uses calcium and phosphates.
You should also know that fluoride is so crucial to the process, and it may be found in a wide variety of toothpaste, mouthwashes, and even municipal water sources. It has the potential to accelerate the process of remineralization and neutralize the ongoing assault of dental decay and bacterial acids.
Remineralization is a good way to repair enamel, although it works more slowly than acid-induced mineral leaching. Avoiding foods that hasten tooth decay is the greatest strategy to aid in the restoration of your tooth enamel.
As we said earlier sugar in itself will not damage your teeth directly but it makes a great environment for bacteria to feed in. It is surprising to know that these bacteria will also have a useful function since they break down the food before it reaches your stomach.
However when the sugar intake is in high levels then this bacteria will cause a lot of damage. They overproduce acid, which begins to erode the enamel of your teeth and eventually results in cavities and dental decay. The bacteria have more nourishment when you eat more sugar, which enables them to proliferate and develop quickly.
You should also know that not only desserts or chocolate but even natural sugars like honey, and maple syrup will cause damage to your teeth. Even fruits consumed in large amounts and over a long time will also cause damage to your oral health.
The basic cause of gum disease, also known as periodontitis, is the same as that of tooth decay: plaque buildup that eventually descends into your sensitive gum tissue. The germs may multiply and spread fast once they get to the root of your teeth, which can eventually result in pockets in your gums. Gum disease that is painful and bleeds, tooth loss, and jawbone damage can all result from periodontitis. Similar to dental damage, bacteria will continue to grow in response to sugar consumption.
It is possible to avoid gum disease and tooth decay by practicing proper dental hygiene and closely monitoring your diet. Numerous methods for enhancing and comprehending oral wellness are well explained in this article.
Although your mouth has natural defenses to maintain the strength and condition of your teeth and gums, you can still help the process. By taking the required measures, you may prevent mouth infections and preserve a healthy balance of oral microorganisms. Some of the basic tips that will help you keep your mouth healthy are:
Brushing and flossing are the best defense mechanisms that will help you keep your teeth healthy and fight against harmful bacteria that will be caused by sugar. This way you will remove the food source of the bacteria and they will not have anything to feed in. As you might know, it is best to brush your teeth at least twice daily and also use dental floss preferably after you eat.
However, be careful to not overdo brushing because this will cause more damage to your tooth. You should also use a soft-bristled toothbrush because hard ones will scrape off the tooth enamel and make your gums bleed.
It is quite hard to keep your mouth sugar-free at all times because almost everything has sugar in it. As long as you take any amount of sugar out of your mouth as quickly as you can by brushing your teeth, eating sugar is not that harmful.
The worst things that cause tooth decay are sweets and meals that remain in your mouth for a long time. Dried fruits, chewy foods, and even milk may stay in your mouth for hours, providing your oral bacteria with a lot of nourishment to flourish. If food does end up in your mouth, try to brush it off or use mouthwash to get rid of as much of the sugar as you can right away. Chewing sugar-free gums is a great way to get rid of any excess food articles if it is not possible to brush your teeth.
Most of the time you will not understand the signs of tooth decay until it becomes a serious issue that requires attention from a dentist. Like with any other medical condition the sooner you treat it the better. To help you notice these signs we have mentioned some of them above. This way you will save yourself some pain and discomfort.
In conclusion, the amount of sugar you consume has a big impact on your dental health in general. Too much sugar promotes the growth of germs, which erodes the enamel of your teeth and results in decay.
Avoiding sugar-filled meals and maintaining your teeth by brushing and flossing regularly are great first steps to take. Regular dental checkups are also very important when it comes to keeping your oral health in good condition and preventing further issues.
If you live in Albania or you are traveling from other countries and you’re worried about how your sugar consumption affects your teeth, schedule a check-up with our friendly staff and team here at City Dental Clinic in Tirana.
