Beyond brushing and flossing your smile as recommended by your dentist, there are simple changes you can make to your daily routine in order to boost oral health. One of these steps that you can take is to be mindful about your consumption of acidic foods and drinks. Keep reading to learn more from our Novato dentists.
Many commonly consumed foods and drinks—like citrus fruits, soft drinks, and fruit juices—are quite high in acid content. All sugary indulgences contribute to dental acid because oral bacteria use these sugars for fuel and produce acid as a result.
When your dental enamel comes into contact with acids and sugars, the enamel becomes temporarily softened. As you would imagine, this is a period of time during which your enamel is especially susceptible to damage and infection. Protect your smile by waiting to brush your teeth until your enamel re-mineralizes—about twenty to thirty minutes after you finish eating or drinking.
You can also minimize negative acid effects by consuming acids at specific times during the day, rather than sipping or snacking continuously. Remember, the goal is to keep your dental enamel strong for as much of the day as possible. It is also a good idea to vigorously rinse your mouth with water after snacks and meals. Not only does rinsing clear away the acid, it also jump-starts saliva production.
There is no way to completely eliminate the negative effects of environmental acids on your smile—it’s just a part of life. But there are simple things that you can do to minimize acid-related damage.
If you have more questions about how foods affect oral health, or about acidic substances in particular, our Novato dentists are here to help. You can reach our team by giving us a call, or by submitting your question through our Contact Us page.