Can Your Diet Cause Cavities? Advice from Your Family Dentist in Surrey
Cavities are a common dental problem affecting people of all ages, and their cause is not limited to poor oral hygiene practices. You can get effective treatment for cavities with your family dentist in Surrey, but limiting your risk is always important.
Your diet can play a significant role in the development of cavities. At Nordel Crossing Dental Centre, we are committed to educating our patients on how they can maintain good oral health and prevent both short and long-term dental problems. Let’s look at the relationship between your diet and cavities and see how your food choices can affect your oral health.
What are Cavities?
Cavities, which are also known as dental caries, are permanently damaged areas in the hard surfaces of your teeth that develop into small holes or openings. They occur when the bacteria in your mouth consume the sugars and starches in the food you eat, creating an acid that attacks the enamel of your teeth. This acid causes the enamel to break down, leading to cavities. If left untreated, cavities can cause severe toothache, infection, and even tooth loss.
This is why brushing your teeth is so important. When you regularly brush your teeth, food debris, sugars, starches, and other particles are removed from the surfaces of teeth and gums, and between teeth. This prevents bacteria from developing and producing the acid that can damage tooth enamel.
Brushing is the first line of defense and plays an important role in your overall oral health, but even if you brush your teeth frequently, as well as rinse and floss, your diet could still cause you problems.
Brief Overview of Nutrition and Dental Health
Proper nutrition is essential for maintaining good oral health. The food you eat affects your teeth and gums as well as your overall health. A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and low-fat dairy products can provide the necessary vitamins and minerals that are essential for strong teeth and healthy gums. On the other hand, a diet high in sugar and carbohydrates can promote the growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth, leading to cavities and other dental problems.
Your family dentist in Surrey can offer effective treatment for dental issues, but the best approach is always to prevent problems before they occur. The right diet can help with this.
How Your Diet Can Cause Cavities
Bacteria in the mouth will thrive on some of the foods and drinks that you consume. Sugar and starches are targeted by bacteria. When bacteria break down sugars, acid forms, which can damage the enamel on teeth and eventually cause cavities. The frequency and duration of exposure to these foods and drinks also play a significant role in the development of cavities. Frequent snacking on sugary or starchy foods and drinks, especially between meals, can increase your risk of developing cavities.
If you want to protect your teeth, you should limit sugary foods and eat more calcium-rich foods like dairy and vegetables. Crunchy fruits and vegetables are great choices because they can help to clean your teeth by removing food particles and starches from the surfaces of teeth. Carrots, celery, and apples are great examples of teeth-friendly fruits and vegetables.
Fiber-rich foods like whole grains can also help to clean teeth and prevent cavities, without leaving excessive amounts of starch behind for bacteria to feed on.
If you want more tips on nutrition and dental health, it’s time to talk to your family dentist in Surrey.
Regular Cleaning with a Dental Hygienist
Brushing at home is an excellent way to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but you’ll need some extra help from time to time. It’s recommended that you see a dental hygienist every six months, which can be combined with your regular dental check-up. A dental hygienist will provide professional cleaning while also inspecting your teeth for the early signs of cavities and other forms of tooth decay. Your dental hygienist will remove plaque and tartar that can’t be removed by regular brushing and flossing.
Patients of all ages should regularly see a dental hygienist. For children, seeing a dental hygienist is especially important as it can take some time before kids develop the right oral hygiene methods and habits.
Signs That It’s Time to Visit a Dentist Surrey
You can get effective treatment for cavities with your local dentist Surrey. The team at Nordel Crossing Dental Centre is ready to help. If you experience a persistent toothache, sensitivity to hot and cold foods or drinks, facial swelling, persistent bad breath, or a bad taste in your mouth, you can schedule a consultation with your dentist Surrey to diagnose the underlying problem.
Whether it’s a cavity or another oral health issue, early diagnosis with your dentist Surrey will lead to the best treatment outcome.
Visit the best Family Dentist in Surrey
Nordel Crossing Dental Centre is your trusted family dentist in Surrey, ready to provide detailed care that is individualized for your unique needs. You can book regular appointments for dental checkups, visit a dental hygienist, or get treatment for cavities and other issues with an experienced dentist Surrey.
To learn more and get treatment with a reliable family dentist in Surrey, you can book your consultation today.