What factors affect your oral health? A dentist would tell you to ask this question if you haven’t already because it lets you know what’s good or not for your teeth. Dental experts would say that fluoride and calcium could help strengthen the teeth, while sugar, extreme temperatures, and hard-to-chew food could damage your pearly whites. Here’s a simple guide to the elements that affect your teeth, for better or worse.
1. Fluoride
The reason toothpastes and mouthwashes contain fluoride is because this helps strengthen teeth, preventing tooth decay and promoting better overall health. This also explains why some initiatives like the Healthier Colorado – Fluoride Project exist. Such movement educates people on the benefits of water fluoridation, including but not limited to stronger teeth. Water fluoridation, along with regular dental visits and daily brushing, can ensure good oral and overall health.
2. Calcium
Like fluoride, calcium also helps strengthen teeth. This element can be found in milk and some fruits and vegetables. This purpose of calcium is the reason most parents encourage their children to drink milk so that it would help fortify their teeth as they grow.
3. Sugar
Whereas fluoride and calcium protect the teeth, too much sugar harms your pearly whites. This is why health experts discourage parents from letting their kids snack on too many sweets, such as ice cream, chocolates and cakes. Sugar on the teeth could attract bacteria, which eats the sugar and damages the enamel or tooth surface. This, in turn, results in tooth decay in the long run.
4. Extreme Temperatures
Consuming extremely cold products right after consuming extremely hot ones could negatively impact your teeth too. This abrupt change in extreme temperature causes tooth sensitivity over time. To prevent its consequences, make sure you monitor the temperature of what you’re eating or drinking.
5. Hard-to-Chew Food
Food that’s a challenge to chew could cause cracks in your teeth. Once this happens, your teeth become more susceptible to tooth decay, or a tooth becomes loose and requires extraction.
There are several factors or elements that you should learn if you’re serious about dental health. Examples include fluoride and calcium, which benefit the teeth, and sugar and hard-to-chew food, which damage the teeth. Knowing such information would make it easier for you to keep your teeth stronger and healthier for longer.
