EVERY DAY INSIDE YOUR MOUTH, there is an epic battle of good versus evil being waged over the ultimate prize: your teeth! And guess what… only YOU can protect them from the destructive forces that seek to harm them.
The Good Guys And The Bad Guys
Because tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body (it is made up of mostly minerals), we automatically think of it as a tough shield that nothing can get through. In reality, tooth enamel is porous!
When tooth enamel loses minerals, teeth are weakened and more susceptible to decay–we call this demineralization. If tooth enamel is demineralized enough, a cavity will form. But here’s the good news! The enamel can also be strengthened by receiving nutrients and minerals in a process we call remineralization. This constant dynamic of tooth enamel losing and gaining minerals is the battle that goes on inside your mouth every day!
So, who are the bad guys? Although there are a lot of good bacteria in our mouths, there are also cavity-causing bacteria found in plaque. The bad bacteria Strep Sobrinas, Strep Mutans, Strep Salivarious, feed on sugar and other carbohydrates and produce harmful acids in the process. These acid attacks demineralize or break down tooth enamel, and if left unchecked, can lead to tooth decay, which can lead to tooth loss. We can always do a root canal or dental implant to replace it. Believe us it is easier and cheaper to keep your teeth healthy.
Check out the video below to learn a little more about plaque:
But all is not lost! You have a secret weapon in your ammunition… and that’s saliva! Not only does saliva wash out food debris and neutralize harmful acids, but minerals in saliva like fluoride, calcium, and phosphate can be deposited back into tooth enamel, strengthening and defending it against bad bacteria. That’s why we call saliva the unsung hero of oral health–it works around the clock to protect our smiles and keep our teeth healthy and strong!
Not only does saliva remineralize the tooth but it also helps to bring the pH of the mouth back to neutral after we eat acidic things. The more saliva the better!
What’s at stake? Your dental health. Here at McOmie Family Dentistry, we have conversations with people daily who are getting full mouth implants or a full mouth reconstruction and they say “I wish I would have taken better care of my teeth”. It is easy to say that in hindsight, our hope is that none of our patients ever get to that point. We recently had a lady who had an All On 4 case done. That is a whole arch of teeth done with 4 dental implants in one day. Her treatment was amazing and she got a fantastic smile as a result, but she said “I love my teeth I wish I would have taken care of them in the first place, if I only knew then what I know now. When I was young I thought I had many teeth and really didn’t see the value in them. You only realize what you have once it is gone”. This is a very strong testimony of taking care of your teeth. All on 4 dental implants are great, we love doing them and have done many, but natural teeth are always much better.
Whose Side Are You On?
This “battle” isn’t something that just goes on in your mouth without you having any say in it. You can promote tooth enamel remineralization and help your saliva fight off harmful bacteria by practicing mouth-healthy habits. In the end, you are the ultimate protector of your teeth!
The first thing you can do to defend your teeth from cavity-causing bacteria eats a nutritious diet. Sugary drinks and treats, crackers, bread, and processed foods are just what these bad bacteria love, and eating these types of foods can lead to tooth enamel demineralization. On the other hand, foods like cheese, eggs, apples, celery, carrots, dark leafy greens, and wild-caught fish promote enamel remineralization. So the next time you open up the fridge or pantry, make the mouth-healthy choice!
Another way to prevent demineralization is to brush with fluoride toothpaste! Where plaque breaks down the tooth, fluoride builds it up. This cavity-fighting mineral protects teeth from bacteria by remineralizing tooth enamel and reducing plaque bacteria’s ability to even produce acid in the first place!
You Are Responsible For Your Oral Health
The battle to keep teeth strong and healthy depends on you! By eating a well-balanced diet and maintaining good oral hygiene, you can have a lifetime of healthy smiles. Keep up the good work, soldier. You’re doing great! We love doing restorations like fillings, crowns, and implants, but isn’t it better if we just clean teeth? We think so.
