One thing a General Dentist in St George UT would like to see patients stop doing is sipping on sugary drinks throughout the day. This essentially keeps teeth in a sugar bath, which is hard on enamel and can lead to tooth decay. Not only soda but fruit juice, fruit drinks and sports beverages are inadvisable for drinking all day long.
Sugar left on the teeth provides a feast for bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria produce acid as they eat this sugar. A sticky film is created on the teeth; this film is known as plaque. The acid from the bacteria makes the tooth enamel deteriorate. Plaque forms into tartar if it isn’t brushed away within several hours, and that hard tartar is irritating to the gums.
Someone who really wants to have a can of soda or a glass of juice now and then is better off drinking it relatively quickly and then rinsing the mouth thoroughly with water. The sugar content of fruit juice can be reduced by blending the juice with club soda, which makes the juice carbonated and may taste like a fruity soda. It’s also helpful to chew sugarless gum after drinking a sugary beverage, as this gum can remove sugar from teeth. It also stimulates saliva production, which is good for teeth. Gum that contains xylitol is actually known for rebuilding tooth enamel to a certain extent.
A General Dentist in St George UT would prefer to see patients drinking water instead of beverages that contain sugar. Of course, most people want something more flavorful now and then. If they can have those other beverages with a meal or just enjoy one per day as a snack, their teeth will not have to deal with as much activity from acid-producing bacteria.
Another option is to drink a soft drink or glass of juice and brush about 30 minutes later. It’s best not to brush too soon after eating or drinking because tooth enamel is softened a bit by the acids. If brushing must be done quickly, it should be approached in a gentle manner rather than a vigorous activity. A clinic such as Hatch & Jeppson Dental can evaluate a person’s dental health and offer more suggestions on improvement.
